Chapter 223
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: Her Wish
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"Wh-what?! What was that thing called for checking if you're pregnant? I can't remember all of a sudden!"
"A test kit? They probably have some at the clan house, right?"
"What are you talking about? Why would there be test kits at the clan house? We have to go to a pharmacy!"
"Hurry up, everyone!"
It sparked an uproar that felt like a full-blown emergency. Soon after, a group of women whose collective worth ran into the tens of billions of dollars were rushing toward the nearest pharmacy.
This wasn't just any hero—it was Kang Chaeyoung, a senior member of Memoria far above them. That's why the first-string heroes of Memoria were paying even more attention to this than their own affairs.
"Aren't you all overreacting a bit?"
Thanks to her teammates' fussing, Chaeyoung managed to calm the surging emotions bubbling up inside her.
If she'd discovered this alone, she might have burst into tears without realizing it. As it was, half the people in Memoria's first-string conference room had cleared out, leaving it eerily empty. They'd all dashed off to the pharmacy.
"Overreacting? No way... It takes two to tango, right? So, who is he? Don't tell me...?"
Memoria's raid leader gave Kang Chaeyoung a knowing look. There weren't many men close to Korea's top dealer.
"Yeah, it's him."
There was no point hiding it anyway, so Chaeyoung answered with a smile.
"What? Who is it? You have to spell it out if you want me to know! Come on, Senior Chaeyoung! You know I hate suspense!"
Of course, she didn't give a straight answer. It was her playful way of making them stew a little.
That was when it happened.
Chaeyoung noticed one of the junior members—who'd only joined Memoria's first string about two years ago—hesitating as she approached. This was the one who'd brought up pregnancy symptoms earlier, kicking off the whole commotion.
"Something you want to say?"
As Chaeyoung looked her way, the junior hero bit her lip and cautiously spoke up.
"Um, Senior... If you really are pregnant... could you share some tips on how you did it?"
"T-Tips?"
Were there ways for men and women to get pregnant besides sex?
Chaeyoung's eyes swirled with utter confusion at the unexpected question. The raid leader beside her burst into laughter.
"How do you think pregnancy happens? You just get a guy and a girl together and..."
She mimed thrusting her index finger vigorously into a circle made by her other hand. But the junior hero's face remained deadly serious. Then came the reason.
"I've been trying with my boyfriend to have a baby for two years now... but it's not working. I was wondering if there's some special method..."
"Oh..."
Chaeyoung felt like she'd been doused with cold water at the junior's response.
Female heroes found it even harder to get pregnant than regular women. No matter how much they wanted their beloved's child, it didn't always happen on command.
"It'll happen for you. I mean, it's not even certain for me yet..."
Chaeyoung trailed off a bit. Female hero pregnancies were so rare they were considered a blessing.
'What if I'm not actually pregnant?'
Now she worried it might just be nausea or something, and she'd jumped the gun. Her clasped hands trembled faintly.
"H-Hey, why's the mood tanking like this? It'll be fine, I said!"
Memoria's raid leader spent the time until the pharmacy runners returned sweating bullets, trying to cheer up the two suddenly deflated women.
And then...
"Ah... Ahh..."
After getting the test kit from her teammates and doing it alone, Chaeyoung saw the two clear lines and burst into tears. All the dark thoughts that had filled her head moments ago scattered like mist.
"Text him right now...!"
She wanted to tell Minguk immediately. Unlike other guys, he had always talked about wanting kids, even during their intimate moments.
He definitely wouldn't be upset.
'He's probably busy tackling the [A-4] dungeon right now.'
She remembered how, just days ago, they'd celebrated clearing a dungeon by spending the whole day in bed.
Recalling how she'd clung to him all night, moaning in ecstasy, made her cheeks flush for no reason. Still, even if she texted now, a reply might not come until late tonight.
That was when Chaeyoung pulled out her phone.
[Han Minguk: Cleared [A-4] dungeon. We've improved to about three days per full clear now. I'll come by on the 9th.]
Ding! Minguk's perfectly timed message popped up, and Chaeyoung's fingers flew across the screen in response.
[Kang Chaeyoung: I just took the test. (photo)]
[Kang Chaeyoung: Looks like I really get to be a mom. (crying emoji)]
"Here it is. The Crystal of Intellect."
"As expected from Cheonho-dong's Lucky Girl. Good work."
Jeong Yerin flashed a thumbs-up at Hyun-ah, who smirked triumphantly.
A hand caked in blood and dirt then picked up the purple gem.
A purple-grade crystal. A rare mana crystal from an 8th-grade special entity—one most heroes fighting darkness monsters could never even dream of seeing.
And that purple-grade crystal was absorbed by Jeong Yerin, who was advancing toward mastery in ice magic.
"Great job, everyone!"
"Next trial in five hours. Then two days off."
Having successfully cleared the [A-4] difficulty dungeon, Minguk and his team handed off unneeded loot to the recovery squad and headed to the nearby tents guarded by soldiers.
In this hazardous zone where monsters could pop up anytime, proper lodging like hotels or motels was a thirty-minute drive away. Far better to crash on the plush bedding in the tents.
"I'd pass out the second I lie down right now."
"Should check the auction house before bed... No way a Master Ticket's up for sale, though."
"...Maybe everyone just uses them themselves?"
The schedule was packed, but no one complained.
They were all eager to liberate Daegu's contaminated zone.
Plus, facing 8th-grade monsters had reminded GGW team members of their shortcomings once more, so they threw themselves into Minguk's trials with renewed vigor.
"Aah...! I healed my butt off today? Don't I deserve a reward? Kendall's waiting too, you know."
Though one or two were angling for something else amid the trials.
Anyway, with the clan leader's full backing, GGW raid was smoothly absorbing their purple-grade crystals, boosting specs and skills.
Unlike the others heading to their tents for rest, Sojeong—quickly changed into casual clothes—told Minguk,
"Raid Leader, I'm heading to the clan house."
"Oh? To see Sohyun?"
"Yes."
"Ah, take your time then. We've got time before pushing forward anyway."
"Really...?"
Sojeong glanced at him uncertainly.
Three days since seeing her little daughter. Any mom would want to spend as much time as possible.
"Of course, sis! Buy Sohyun lots of treats too!"
"Yeah! Want me to tag along and give her some pocket money?"
Teammates chimed in supportively. They all missed Sohyun.
Only six Rose Shield members had kids, and one was Sojeong's daughter, Sohyun—about to enter elementary school and in full cute phase.
"Ugh, jealous... How'd you get pregnant as a hero, sis?"
"Huh? I thought she awakened after Sohyun was born?"
"Really?"
As Sojeong departed, the others continued chatting enviously.
They all wanted kids. Listening, Minguk felt a strange mix of emotions. So different from the rest of the world—it was intriguing.
'Come to think of it...'
It felt like about a month since he'd slept with Chaeyoung intending to impregnate her. They'd done it several times since, but that first quest had come then.
"My kid..."
If Chaeyoung really was pregnant... it'd feel profoundly weird. He'd have to smash darkness monsters even harder to keep his child safe.
"Huh?"
Hyun-ah, beside him, peeked over. She'd caught his mutter. Various imaginings flickered through her mind and faded. Then her arms wrapped around his waist.
"Hehe! Honey, I could be a great mom too, you know?"
"Sorry, but no."
"Why not?!"
Hyun-ah yelped at his firm refusal.
"Can't lose a tank."
But Minguk had his reasons.
With disasters like the Twelve Calamities liable to strike anytime, GGW's current skill couldn't handle calamity-grade monsters. Even the Garai raid with the Imperial Guard had been tough.
They had to boost gear and raid prowess before the Twelve Calamities moved in earnest. Lose the main tank?
Filling that gap could take months.
'Can't poach another raid's main tank either.'
Heroes who could face 8th-graders were clan core assets. No ordinary funds could touch them.
Even promising talents like the Tanya and Vudsen sisters had nearly toppled the clan financially. Tanya had been scouted from Memoria on loan.
And top-tier heroes weren't buyable with money alone.
"Guess that means you need me, huh? Kinda bittersweet. You do want a kid... but right now, I'm essential to my Minguk..."
Minguk chuckled at Hyun-ah grinning smugly, emphasizing her value.
A bit unhinged... but cute enough to forgive. Adorable, really.
Anyway, Minguk texted Chaeyoung. With two days free after this raid, he'd see her again.
'Should bring up the Daegu Break next time. And handle the quest while I'm at it...'
Quest or no, Chaeyoung was incredibly alluring.
Lately, she'd been trying fun new things. Her bed skills were average, but she'd started with cosplay and sexy lingerie to flaunt her sexiness.
'Last time was bunny girl. Wonder what she's got planned now?'
Remembering her in just bunny ears and fishnets, riding him and shaking her hips, made blood rush south instinctively. And there was this grinning beauty right in front of him.
Then his pocketed phone buzzed.
[Kang Chaeyoung: I just took the test. (photo)]
[Kang Chaeyoung: Looks like I really get to be a mom.]
Minguk checked the message immediately and muttered unwittingly.
"...Guess I'm really gonna be a dad."
"What?"
Hyun-ah didn't miss this mutter either. She snatched his phone, read the message, squeezed her eyes shut, and yelled.
"Aaaah...! I wanted to be first!"
"For real? Seriously?"
Yuna, whose face had been etched with fatigue moments ago, lit up and clung to Minguk.
"Hero Kang Chaeyoung pregnant... This feels off! I've taken plenty inside too...!"
"Pregnancy doesn't happen that easily. She just got lucky. Anyway, Raid Leader's kid... Bet it'll be adorable."
Tanya gazed dreamily imagining Minguk's child, while Giselle grumbled jealously beside her. Russia's birthrate was higher than Korea's, but kids were still rare.
The sudden news threw GGW raid into as much chaos as Memoria's. Especially since the father was raid leader and cartel linchpin Han Minguk.
Team members were envious but congratulatory toward Chaeyoung carrying Minguk's child. Yet seeing the quest clear message, Minguk's mind grew a tad complicated.