Chapter 187
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Baranoras's Forward Base
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'Wait a minute... isn't this just insane?'
The moment Han Minguk heard Chloe's story, his mind raced with temptation—not just intriguing, but downright irresistible.
Why couldn't Team GGW take on Garai right now?
It was simply because their specs weren't up to par. Freshly minted at 6-star, they couldn't possibly handle a monster estimated at 9-star. Not even under his command.
But the Imperial Guard was a different story.
Chloe Castell, the Guard's top dealer, was 8-star but wielded mana power rivaling 9-star heroes.
And the rest, led by Bridget, were all exceptional talents. Their specs and gear were flawless.
'What if my abilities joined that lineup?'
Taking down Garai wouldn't be impossible. Still, not everything would fall neatly into place.
"The problem is my own specs..."
At least Garai, pegged as 9-star-ish, seemed closer to 8-star. That was a relief.
Plus, Minguk's class as a healer helped somewhat. If he were a tank or dealer, it might've been an issue—he'd have to block attacks or dish out damage.
Factoring all that in, even at 7-star with high Gear Score gear, he could pull his weight in the Garai raid.
Even so, how do you plan to acquire 7-star mana power? You only just hit 6-star.
Minguk smirked inwardly.
'I've got ways around that.'
With a bunch of skilled 8-stars around, what was there to worry about? He could just hitch a ride with the Imperial Guard.
If his GGW teammates were here, he'd avoid it for their trial experience, but solo? No issue. No one in this world had more high-end raid trials under their belt.
Seen that way, this was a golden chance to boost his specs short-term. Sure, even with Guard help, timing it solo would be tough.
'Hey, Ppuu. You do quests, right?'
Qu-quest?
'Yeah. To face Garai, I need at least 7-star. Cough up a few mana crystals via quest.'
......W-well, I can help, but giving you this quest might mean no more for a while.
Been asking for too many quests lately?
But nail this Garai raid, and he'd snag the legendary Yggdrasil class plus a diamond ticket. He could skip Ppuu quests if needed.
Not limited to Ppuu either—if no teeth, use gums. Qoo♡ could provide, though Sex Coin-locked.
Wrapping up with Ppuu, Minguk raised his hand. No one had stepped up to Chloe's proposal yet.
"Count me in?"
"Huh?!"
"...Pardon?"
In the tense atmosphere of sidelong glances, Minguk's bold volunteer act left jaws dropping.
"W-wait. You're serious?"
Chloe was flustered too.
She'd eyed the US and India raid leaders—both 8-star healers, experienced enough to lead the Guard, if not Celeste-level.
But...
An unexpected volunteer: a male raid leader, no less.
"Of course. And it's a no-name with zero strategy info, right? No offense to you raid leaders here, but I know nameless bosses better than anyone."
"Uh, well..."
"Can't argue with that."
A few nodded at Minguk's words.
Just 6-star, yet Team GGW had cleared three nameless bosses, unveiling new monsters.
Recently, Blue Drake and Baranoras strategy videos too—both with wipes on nasty mechanics.
"Ah! Th-that's true, but..."
Chloe looked troubled.
Minguk's command skills were unquestionable. Korea's genius raid leader.
Experience too: GGW's dungeon clears outpaced most raids. Third Dungeon Break participation.
'The issue is...'
His age, gender.
And 6-star power. Chloe figured minimum 7-star, near-1000 Gear Score gear for Garai.
Anything less? Cannon fodder. Minguk thought similarly.
"My current power can't handle that monster right now."
"Exactly. At least 7-star..."
"But we've got ten days, right?"
"...Ten days?"
Dungeon wasn't exploding imminently.
Timer showed about ten days till break. Clear Garai within, or bust.
Minguk pressed on.
"Yes. Imperial Guard warehouses must have solid healer gear. If you loan gear and bus me to 7-star, I stake my name on killing that thing."
"What?!"
Chloe's eyes widened like saucers. Other leaders gawked. Shocking proposal.
"Er..."
Chloe glanced at fellow leaders.
'Confident, sure, but this is a stretch.'
Her gaze pleaded to US/India leaders.
But no offers to lead instead. Prioritizing safety, Chloe bit her lip.
'Accept or decline?'
Time ticked; no other volunteers for Guard+Garai. Celeste's fate scared them off.
Chloe didn't commit on spot.
"Need time. You get it?"
Proposal too wild—needed team discussion. Gear request meant homeland contact.
"Wow, guy's stepping up..."
"Crazy. So no one takes the monster?"
"Should've learned leading from Celeste sis."
No choice given stakes.
But couldn't move on words alone. Chloe messaged Korea's Memoria raid—friend Kang Chaeyoung for Minguk intel.
Han Minguk's leading? Experienced it firsthand. Better than Celeste, at least.
"...You think that's realistic right now?"
Try it yourself and see.
Over-the-top praise from Chaeyoung swayed Chloe. No alternatives, timer ticking.
"Of course..."
Sojeong sighed after hearing Minguk out.
Vietnam's dire straits were known to GGW.
Especially Garai, the 9-star-ish monster that corrupted Celeste. Must kill to avert break.
"And with Imperial Guard's Celeste out, they need a raid leader."
"But that's no reason for you to—"
"Who else? Garai's no pushover. Two tiers deadlier than Baranoras."
Hyun-ah licked her dry lips as Minguk cut in.
His genius leading was gospel to GGW.
"......"
Silence blanketed the quarters.
Yuna and Yerin exchanged helpless looks; Tanya bowed prayer-like over cold water.
Kendall eyed Minguk worriedly.
"Decision's made. France is prepping healer gear. I'll join Guard in two hours, head to Thailand."
"Thailand why?"
"Clearing A-5 dungeons with Guard for blue crystals. Need 7-star minimum for Garai."
Controversial even in Guard.
A-5s weren't easy; 20-30 crystals for 7-star. Some took over a week.
'But things are that bad.'
Hero Association, stuck in China, couldn't aid Vietnam.
Vicon's goons rampaging; top raids absent meant China peril. Vietnam evacuating civilians near Hoabinh today.
Raids too: sans military, heroes alone couldn't stem Dungeon Break hordes.
Plan: last stand in Hanoi assuming break.
Hyun-ah wryly smiled.
"If we matched Imperial Guard, this wouldn't happen."
"Maybe. No rush though. Just a hiccup—we're growing fast. Consider our tenure."
"......"
"Post-crisis, grind dungeons hard? Catch your 7-star self?"
"Right. Gotta hustle."
Hyun-ah grinned slyly.
"Anyway, bolt if risky. Got it? Sneaky bastard corrupted a vet leader."
"Duh. No thanks to monster L."
GGW pulled from Hoabinh to Hanoi standby.
Wh-what?!
"Situation's that rough."
But Vietnam's break was under control!
"Issue cropped up. Details incoming. France's Guard wiped; I'm subbing injured Celeste to face the no-name."
What about the heroes there? Han Minguk, you know you're second-year, right?!
"No choice. I'm the best raider."
Oh... oh...
Rose Shield's leader Oh Hyun-jung could only sigh repeatedly.
Powerless herself, she arranged a military flight for GGW's Hanoi retreat.
Worst case, abandon Vietnam.
Minguk parted from team, joined France's Guard, headed Thailand. Multiple A-5s there for blue crystals.