Chapter 222
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 222
Chapter Title: Her Wish
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"Oh Hyun-ah, come here!"
Han Minguk called out to Hyun-ah, who was stretching in front of the named monster.
At Minguk's summons, Tanya—the sub-tank chatting with her—quietly moved toward him as well.
The 'Stinking Butcher,' one of the Grade 8 special entities that appeared in [A-4] difficulty dungeons.
This horrific monster wielded a massive corroding blade infused with void magic. Among Grade 8 monsters, its attacks packed an extraordinarily vicious punch, placing a massive burden on the main tank.
Rumors even swirled that top ranker clans' main tanks avoided high-level dungeons where the Stinking Butcher appeared.
And those rumors weren't unfounded. The moment Minguk scouted a [A-4] dungeon, the Renaissance Clan practically shoved their conquest onto Team GGW.
"How's it feel? Can you hold it?"
"...It's tough, but I think I can manage."
Hyun-ah pondered Minguk's question for a moment before nodding.
Over the three-plus hours of tries, she'd been killed by this first named—the Butcher—more than thirty times.
The power of this first-time Grade 8 special named was on a whole other level compared to Grade 7 monsters. No wonder top heroes said a single rank difference was like night and day.
But if she focused solely on blocking attacks, it wasn't impossible.
Plus, Hyun-ah's class was the Phoenix Knight, capable of revival. Even a major screw-up could be brushed off once.
Proof? She used to die in the blink of an eye at first. Now, she could hold her own somewhat. Of course, if the Butcher unleashed its full abilities, she was still on shaky ground.
Minguk patted her shoulder knowingly at her response.
"Just focus on tanking the Butcher's attacks for now. Tanya, assist from the side and keep memorizing its attack squad patterns visually."
"Got it."
"It won't be easy, but remember—the raid only moves forward if you tanks hold strong."
Minguk then gathered the dealers and healers for feedback on the tries so far.
Grade 8 entities were in a league of their own compared to Grade 7s. They demanded complex tactical maneuvers based on attack patterns, plus heroic combat prowess and the guts to stare death down without flinching.
In that regard, Team GGW was exceptionally well-equipped.
Unlike typical raids, these women—bound by cartel under Raid Leader Han Minguk—fearlessly tackled brutal nameds. And Minguk was a raid-hardened veteran himself.
'Still, time to think about class comps.'
To prep for higher difficulties, he needed combos with ultimate skills for massive combat boosts: healing, shields, buffs to max out team performance.
'Auction house for most, but...'
Class stones and such were near-impossible to snag casually. He'd have to hunt them down personally. Team GGW's freedom with clan dungeon allocations was a boon there.
Boom!Kaboom!
The try resumed, pitting ten heroes against the monster dubbed the Stinking Butcher.
Its blade looked rusted, but each clash with Hyun-ah's shield—infused with void-corroding power—sent sizzling smoke billowing as metal melted.
"Ughhh...!"
Hyun-ah screamed at the sight of her shield corroding rapidly.
Repair costs would be astronomical, no doubt. High Gear Score gear guzzled repair kits like crazy.
"Gotta switch to a better shield...!"
"That'd cost even more to fix!"
Gritting her teeth at Tanya's quip, Hyun-ah thrust her shield forward, blocking the Butcher's storm of attacks.
Kaboom!Boom!
Her arms felt like they'd rip off, but she had to endure.
Meanwhile, Jung Ye-rin and the ranged dealers unleashed hell on the Butcher's back. Melee dealers swung in sync with Hyun-ah's movements.
[Delicious meat!]
"Scatter! Feeding target—circle clockwise... Target: Kim So-jeong!"
The Butcher occasionally lunged belly-first, but Minguk—having decoded all patterns early—called targets precisely.
Thanks to Minguk and his now-7-star teammates, Team GGW's dungeon run was progressing smoothly.
Still, the difficulty meant full clear would take ages...
[Grade monster, huh... Isn't it a bit early?]
Unlike the clan leader's cautious pre-run warning, they were making headway.
"Arrrghhh!!! My shield finally shattered!"
Except for the insane repair kit consumption—a hundred times cheaper than Revival Stones, sure.
Team GGW finally conquered the [A-4] dungeon after nearly two weeks.
Not many nameds, but each Grade 8 special was a powerhouse nightmare.
But...
"Finally feels right."
Veteran of veterans Minguk now sensed a proper try—beyond Easy or Normal. Though random patterns in named attacks kept it challenging.
《Shall I drill the quest?》
"Nah. Save it for later—explode it then."
Minguk turned down Ppuu's offer. He'd hoard for rare nameds or must-have items.
"Retiring, huh?"
"...Yeah. Clan leader told you?"
Kang Chaeyoung hesitated at her longtime comrade and friend's words before nodding. A weak look unbecoming Korea's top hero.
Memoria's raid leader smiled softly, grasping Chaeyoung's hand.
"Why the vague reply? Think I'd chew you out for retiring?"
"No, just... sorry."
"Sorry my ass. Does that make every hero who fought hard and retired a bad girl? Sure, the war on darkness monsters matters, but..."
She gazed warmly at Chaeyoung.
"You've battled for decades. Good work."
"Yeah, time for big sis Chaeyoung to step back."
"Hey! Bets on! Chaeyoung sunbae retiring this year!"
"Agh!!! Why this year?! Hold out one more!"
Memoria teammates chimed in. Chaeyoung's forehead vein bulged—they'd even bet on her retirement.
"Who gets unnie's gear then?"
"...Isn't it all engraved?"
"What? No normal pieces? Tiger leaves hide, hero leaves gear... Guess sunbae has nothing to pass on?"
Teasing juniors abounded.
But it was all affection, regret styled their way. No one urged her to stay.
Respect for Korea's hero who'd fought darkness over twenty years.
"When're you stepping down?"
"Three, four months—dropping to Revival Team."
"Gotta go out with a bang before then..."
"Right. Can't let you retire quietly. Final punch has to swing hard!"
Chaeyoung chuckled at their lingering attachment. Crossing her legs, she teased back.
"Wanna topple Daegu City Hall then?"
She'd wanted to liberate the Void Lands from Daegu's break before retiring.
"...Just retire quick."
"You brats! Sunbae's leaving—don't just sit! Roll out the carpet, no funny business!"
Predictably unrealistic.
Memoria could barely manage Daegu's [A-2] City Hall dungeon.
Not a skill drop—just Korea's tiny land birthed two breaks, piling high-timer dungeons.
Other ranker clans existed, but only Memoria's first string handled [A-2]+ flawlessly.
"Schedules'll make it tough, huh."
Chaeyoung sighed wistfully. Being Daegu-born stung extra.
"......You serious?"
The raid leader stiffened at her mutter.
Daegu City Hall was [A-2]—not Korea's hardest, but notoriously tricky. New transfers to Memoria first string dreaded its tries most.
"Eh, just thought of liberating Daegu's tainted lands before bowing out."
Chaeyoung shrugged nonchalantly.
A pre-retirement goal, but team reactions dashed hopes.
"If collapse odds were high, maybe... But grinding expecting random breaks? Tough sell."
"Yeah."
Chaeyoung smiled bitterly. Her nagging worry deepened. No big expectations, though. Faith in successors liberating Korea eased it...
Then—
"Urp...!"
Sudden nausea bent her double, bile surging.
"Unnie?! You okay?"
The raid leader patted her back in alarm.
What was that?
Chaeyoung tilted her head once breathing steadied. A sensation unknown since mana awakening.
Heroes rarely got sick outside darkness fights. Even grave illness vanished post-awakening.
But just now...
"Unnie, you good?"
Chaeyoung waved off the worried voice.
"Yeah, fine now. Stomach just flipped suddenly."
"Skipped breakfast? Hunger?"
"Nah... Kinda craving mint choco, though."
"...Huh? Didn't you hate mint choco?"
"Eh? Oh?"
Recalling her words, Chaeyoung tilted again.
True—she detested popular mint choco. Americano suited her.
Why today? That weird mint scent lingered in her mind.
"Retirement sentimentality?"
"Could be."
"Eh? Wait, hold on."
Amid head-tilts, a young hero eyed Chaeyoung suspiciously.
"S-sunbae... I've been reading tons on babies lately. Nausea, sudden weird cravings... Looks like pregnancy symptoms. Maybe test?"
"W-what?!"
The nuke-level bombshell naturally threw Memoria's first-string lounge into chaos.