Chapter 202
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Fun Broadcast Filming
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"Who is the hero Han Minguk?"
"What? Do I even need to say it? He's a genius at fighting darkness monsters and commanding battles."
In response to the reporter's question, a stunning woman decked out in gear-score equipment so heavy no ordinary person could even lift it answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Emblazoned on her chest was a rose-shaped emblem.
A moment later, the screen switched. The new interviewee was a hero from Memoria.
"Han Minguk is only in his second year as a hero, right? Honestly, we call rookies like that 'freshly inked license chicks' among ourselves. Heroes at that level usually have to be prized prospects in a clan just to join raids against 4th or 5th-grade monsters."
"Why is that?"
"Specs and experience. They're lacking in both. Of course, Han Minguk is the exception. Truth is, us mere mortals can't really judge a genius."
The hero from Memoria—the top clan in Korea, home to the number-one ranker Kang Chae-young and the nation's last bastion—launched into a lengthy praise of Han Minguk from that point on.
"I see. So, what about the GGW raid team led by Hero Han Minguk...?"
"That's why Raid Leader Han Minguk is truly amazing! Or is it Oh Hyun-ah who's amazing for bringing him into R's Clan? Either way, his greatness isn't just in his combat skills. He's got real talent for developing heroes too. You can tell just by looking at the GGW members."
The Memoria hero responded to the reporter's trailing question with fiery passion, her excitement palpable even off-screen.
Next came a comparison chart.
Typical second- or third-year heroes were shown joining trials against 4th- or 5th-grade monsters alongside senior heroes, depending on their talent. It was rare for peers to tackle dungeons together, and even fewer took on 3rd-grade monsters.
But Han Minguk and GGW were different.
Minguk commanded heroes to topple 6th-grade-or-higher monsters like it was nothing, and in this East Asia battle, they even defeated a monster estimated at 8th grade—one of the Twelve Calamities' lieutenants.
Even a regular hero pulling that off would have caused a stir, but Minguk was a male hero to boot. It was no wonder interest in him had exploded across Korea. In Vietnam, he was already a national hero.
Domestic media outlets churned out articles about Minguk nonstop.
Not just his past, but every achievement since becoming a hero. Everyone hung on his every move. Through broadcasts, people cheered his frontline exploits against monsters, despite his male body.
"The interest is insane. Do you know how many calls the clan gets per day?"
"Eh, it'll die down soon. At least Korea seems fine—no major issues, which is a relief."
Vietnam had come perilously close to collapse from this expansion event.
China too. Korea, as a neighboring country, surely hadn't escaped unscathed... yet the atmosphere was surprisingly calm, with people buzzing over trivial excitements. Oh Hyun-jung lit a cigarette as she spoke.
"Why do you think the media is hyping up the GGW raid team on purpose?"
"...To ease people's anxiety?"
"Exactly. China's expansion forced the national army to mobilize. All army heroes were deployed to the front lines."
"I haven't heard of any actual fighting, though."
"The media shut up about it. In the end, no big deal—just a few shells at darkness monsters trying to cross the Yalu River. They weren't even a horde, just lost stragglers. No casualties."
Considering Qingdao in China was only about 400km from the Yalu, Korea couldn't fully escape the expansion's effects. But apparently, no major problems arose.
Hyun-jung pinched the cigarette between her fingers, then back to her lips, repeating the motion.
Minguk watched curiously. She wasn't smoking it, nor putting it away—just a comical half-measure.
"Oh, no smoking indoors."
She continued sheepishly under his gaze.
"Didn't you smoke here before?"
"That was a special emergency. Anyway, you guys worked hard. Expect your expedition fees and bonuses tomorrow or the day after. Not chump change... Should I congratulate you early?"
"So now we're rich?"
"Pretty much."
Minguk shrugged at Hyun-jung's reply. Money didn't mean much to him regardless of the amount.
He had no immediate needs, and basics like clothing, food, and shelter were covered. If anything, it meant buying high gear-score items at auction... but bind-on-equip auction staples made farming high-difficulty dungeons and darkness monsters for loot boxes far more efficient.
And GGW had the skill to make that a reality.
"So, what's next? Big battle done—time for rest?"
"No. Gear up against 6th-grade monsters, then hit 【A-5】 dungeons. Need those Blue-grade crystals."
With Imperial Guard help, his reached 7th grade—he planned the same for everyone. Only then could they tackle higher difficulties.
'We got lucky this time...'
If something stronger than Garai appeared, or if Garai had been unbeatable even at 7th-grade specs, it could've been disastrous.
They couldn't rely on quests forever.
Ppuu and Quu, who overexerted to make Blue-grade crystals for this crisis, couldn't even handle minor quests now. GGW needed spec-ups ASAP.
"Already thinking 【A-5】 clears?"
"No guarantee something like Garai won't show up here."
"Fair point."
Hyun-jung furrowed her brow at Minguk's words.
This was the third expansion this year alone—not an overstatement to say the war with darkness monsters had restarted. Preparations were essential.
"Any dungeons you want to clear? Tell me ahead—even if not ours, I can pull strings for clearance. Anything else you need?"
"Revival Stone support too. We brought back leftovers from the expansion, but..."
Full clears would burn dozens daily. R's Revival team couldn't keep up.
"Clan made good money from this expedition—I'll secure as many Revival Stones as possible. Group-level help too."
"Great."
Minguk continued discussing raid schedules with clan leader Hyun-jung.
Having been a hero herself, she offered advice and pinpointed needs. Her secretary jotted down key points.
As talks wrapped up...
"Oh, ever thought about doing a show?"
"A show? Hero-related?"
Minguk tilted his head at the out-of-left-field question.
"No, regular variety. Interest is sky-high, so TV folks are buzzing. Not huge perks, but top pay—decent for fun."
"Variety, huh..."
Old memories surfaced.
Hyun-ah and Yuna's personal streams. Full dungeon clears broadcast live.
'Back then, 180k viewers?'
In his old world, that'd be massive without sponsors.
GGW hadn't streamed since—the expansion sent them to Vietnam.
Hyun-jung inwardly cheered as Minguk pondered, not flat-out refusing.
'If Hero Han Minguk appears on TV...'
R's interest would skyrocket.
Turning into sponsorships, top heroes joining—guaranteed.
'1st Team and GGW are solid, but...'
Not enough for clan growth.
With full war looming, mana-using heroes were vital. Secure as many as possible. Stripped of ranker status, R's only had Han Minguk.
"No rush—think it over positively."
"Got it."
Minguk nodded. Not keen, but yeah, it'd be fun—like she said.
In the clan house conference room, GGW members lounged freely.
The 1st raid got a week off post-expansion, but GGW was exempt. No one minded.
While Raid Leader Minguk smashed Garai with the Imperial Guard, they'd relaxed in Hanoi hotels.
Whirr.
The door opened—Minguk entered.
Clattering as relaxed poses straightened. He waved it off.
"Lounge however. We're not soldiers..."
"Heroes who fight monsters ahead of strict militaries."
Minguk shrugged at eldest sister So-jeong's words. Not the point.
"From today, we clear one of these three dungeons."
He wrote on the board:
【A-6】 'King's Dragon'
【A-6】 'Seongnam Ruins Battle'
【A-6】 'Gate of the Void'
Tablet-searched spots—all clearable with GGW power. Boss drops aided the team.
King's Dragon: Yuna and ranged dealers' armor pieces.
Seongnam Ruins Battle: Healer gear, tank accessories.
Gate of the Void: Dealer firepower accessories.
All high gear-score for 6-star heroes.
"Spec-up time?"
Yuna shot her hand up.
"Yeah."
Minguk scanned the team. Long grind ahead.
Drops weren't guaranteed. Recall So-jeong's Flame Greatsword grind. But necessary.
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