Chapter 173
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Raid in Crisis
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'How's Baranoras holding up?'
It's still quiet for now.
'How much time until the forward base is complete?'
Yes. It should hold for about two days.
Minguk felt a wave of relief at Ppuu's response. It was a close call, but it meant they could tackle Baranoras after hitting six-star hero status.
'Soon as the gear arrives, we dive right in. But first, I need to bump one more dealer to six-star...'
His throat burned as he pictured the storm-wielding Baranoras, a monster whose true form he hadn't even glimpsed. First, they'd have to take it down, then Garai, to calm Vietnam's spreading crisis.
Lost in thoughts of future foes, a sudden idea struck him.
'Ppuu, about Garai... If France's Imperial Guard takes it out instead of us, do we still get the quest rewards?'
Huh? Well, yeah... but you mean that busty ladies' raid team, right? I think it'd be a stretch for them.
'...What?'
Minguk's face twisted as he mulled over Ppuu's reply.
France's Imperial Guard were veterans who conquered A-1 and even S-rank dungeons.
'Hold up! You little shit?! You're saying Team GGW has to take down something even the Imperial Guard can't handle?!'
Outrage flushed his cheeks hot—not just from the near-30-degree booze he'd downed moments ago.
The translucent message window responded with a sweat-drop emoticon, then typed out words in a flash.
Ahem, you gotta hear people out... Minguk, sure, the Imperial Guard's specs are top-tier. They'd win a straight fight. But as you know, their raid skills in this world? Kinda iffy.
'So?'
Garai's no pushover you can just brute-force with raw specs. It's all about strategy, tactics, and sharp judgment. Sure, they could bulldoze it, but would they go that far?
Minguk pondered Ppuu's question, then shook his head.
Given the Imperial Guard's position and ties to Vietnam, they wouldn't get bogged down with Garai long. If a hero fell to corruption in some mishap?
'That'd be the worst-case scenario.'
France's government and Hero Association would surely avoid that.
In the end, it boiled down to him handling it personally. No strategy guide on the Hero Pad meant learning patterns the hard way—through blood and sweat.
But before Garai, we need to drop Baranoras first. We're not ready for Garai yet.
'Fair point.'
Baranoras was already a beast—they'd crippled its supply depot and Blue Drake first. Facing Garai, the 12th Calamity, and its powerhouse minions demanded even more prep.
People enjoy drinks in all sorts of ways.
Games, deep talks, or sharing stories to tighten bonds.
One thing in common: savoring the moment.
Team GGW's after-party buzzed with that vibe.
One corner hosted wild drinking games; another had Giselle chattering away at Kendall. Beside them, Nayeon sighed heavily, cheeks flushed from the booze.
Minguk jolted as he glanced over absentmindedly.
'Wait a sec?!'
Nayeon was Team GGW's youngest hero. Surely...
"Hey, is it okay to give Nayeon a drink?"
He shot the question at Ye-rin across from him, savoring her meat and shot. Ye-rin smirked, flashing a cheeky glint.
"What's the big deal? She's almost legal... Drinks are best learned from adults. Nayeon!"
Ye-rin waved a bottle of clear liquid, calling her over. Nayeon scampered up eagerly, plopping beside her.
"Aww, baby girl wants a sip?"
"Yes! I'll drink it right, unnie!"
"......"
Minguk stared blankly as Nayeon downed the booze and meat like a pro.
'Well, this ain't Korea...'
Whatever.
Resort staff swept in periodically, clearing trash piles and restocking bottles, which popped open instantly amid cheers and toasts.
Predictably, Tanya guzzled the most. To a Russian, 30-degree liquor was water—she chugged Vietnam's vodka effortlessly.
In the mild heat, she roamed in a tank top and hot pants. As Minguk gawked, their eyes met.
"Mind if I pour you one, Raid Leader?"
Tanya lifted her bottle.
"Nah, I'm good."
Undeterred, she slid beside him, offering it anyway.
"You've never taken a pour from me. Gotta fix that, right?"
"...Didn't I just now?"
"Past midnight—it's today's first. Can't dodge as a man. Where's that Raid Leader who challenged me to a drink-off in Hanoi?"
"......"
Her grin made his head throb preemptively. He could hold his liquor—had outdrunk Yuna and Ye-rin before.
But this beauty was spec-out-the-ass strong.
A Russian heroine from booze-fighter central. No choice—he took the shot.
"Ugh..."
As he grimaced, Tanya fed him a morsel of meat, then whispered slyly.
"How about tonight, Raid Leader?"
Her sultry tease: tongue flick, finger circling her nipple. Crystal-clear intent.
"I'll think on it."
"Got it."
Tanya retreated with a pout.
Not a bad idea, honestly. Booze had him thirsty, and Tanya Luce was model-gorgeous, Russia's pride.
But her habit worried him: the Russian Black Leopard spiked partners' drinks mid-sex. Their first time had been hell.
What about that lady? You'd rack up Sex Coins.
Ppuu popped up out of nowhere, arrow-pointing a woman. Minguk sighed deeply.
'You nuts? Touch her, and I'm locked up.'
Ppuu highlighted Nayeon, Team GGW's sole loli-voiced hero—and freshly 18. One wrong move: handcuffs.
Huh? Who's gonna snitch on you?
'Plenty. Unexplainable types.'
Then...
'Pass on her too. Barely talked. Plus, Giselle'd flip.'
Sure enough, Giselle met his gaze, scowled, jabbed a finger at Kendall, and mimed slitting her throat. Still paranoid, she rose and sidled over.
"Touch Kendall, you're dead. Want some? I'll sub in."
"...Just looked."
"Yeah? If you're thirsty, holler. You know my room number? Waiting later?"
Minguk shrugged as she sauntered back to Kendall.
Anyway, Ppuu's picks were off-limits. Obvious why: Sex Coins.
'Even hoarding 'em, nothing useful now.'
He grumbled. His Chaos Shop was stuck at rank 2.
Kim So-jeong's imprinted Unique class Destroyer was solid, but beyond that? Zilch for Team GGW's level.
New stuff? Refresh with Sex Coins.
'...That a thing?'
His brows furrowed. News to him.
Yes. Resets weekly on Mondays... Handy feature. Wait?! Qoo♡ didn't explain?
"Mm..."
Minguk nodded; Ppuu sweat-dropped again.
Qoo♡ must've goofed as a newbie. I'll chew 'em out.
It vanished like sucked into a black hole. Minguk smacked his lips—missed a chance to squeeze something good outta that. Still, new info.
'Shop refresh, huh...'
No high hopes at this rank.
But another Destroyer-like class stone? Not bad. Uniques fetched top dollar at auction.
Tap, tap.
Fingertips drummed the table; Chaos Shop materialized.
Refresh Chaos Shop items? Requires 10 Sex Coins. Time until next refresh: 69:22:11
Thinking refresh triggered a ding and new text.
'Not cheap.'
Ten Sex Coins meant bedding ten women with Qoo's quests. But no need to hoard.
Higher ranks might demand buys, but no coin-upgrades here, and rank quests? Who knew.
Sure, saving helped eventually, but why pinch now?
'Alright, refresh once.'
Maybe a jackpot. He hit yes.
A flash later, items swapped rapidly. Refresh complete message popped.
'Let's see...'
Others partied hard, ignoring him. He browsed leisurely.
'All junk.'
Good thing low expectations.
Rank 2 trash—useless now, or not worth Sex Coins. At the last item...
'...Huh?'
Diamond Ticket x1 (Selectable Gear)
A gem: Diamond Ticket for gear 600-799, selectable. Perfect for six-star Minguk. His eyes locked on the price. Fast.