Chapter 229
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: Preparation
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"You're engaged? ...Does that mean you're getting married too?"
"Heehee, of course. I've already gotten a firm yes from Minguk."
Hyun-ah flashed a smile as innocent as a child's in response to Hyun-jung's question.
Ever since meeting Han Minguk at Hero Academy, she'd stuck to his side like glue, making him get used to her presence, all part of her plan to build a future together. It looked like her scheme was finally paying off.
Of course, once he became an official hero and his talents—absent from the academy—started shining, drawing crowds of women to him, she'd felt threatened and let her jealousy show.
But now, none of that bothered her anymore. She'd confirmed her place in his heart.
'It would've been even better if I could have him all to myself.'
Hyun-ah knew that was greed talking.
Besides, Minguk's stamina was beyond what she could handle alone. She might manage for a day, but after two or three, she'd be wiped out. For her own survival, she needed another woman to share the load.
'Kids... Three? Four? Twins would be ideal.'
Sitting with her legs crossed, Hyun-ah pictured herself with Minguk.
Though it was said to be nearly impossible for female heroes to have children, she wasn't worried.
Kang Chae-young had already succeeded in getting pregnant, and considering Minguk's insatiable vigor that left her drenched every time, it didn't seem impossible at all.
But having his child right now wasn't feasible.
And she wasn't disappointed about it. It was because he needed her.
Still, she planned to have kids within the next five years.
"I'm so jealous. I'm too busy to even have time to meet a guy..."
While Hyun-ah was lost in thought, Hyun-jung's secretary spoke up with a weary face.
"Do you even have a guy to meet?"
Hyun-jung teased her secretary's grumbling, only to get a sharp retort.
"I'd have to have time first to even find one. But I've saved up a decent amount of money... Maybe I could snag someone using my wealth?"
"You need to find a proper one..."
"If you keep being so picky, you'll end up an old spinster. Like someone we know."
No sooner had the secretary finished than a vein bulged on Hyun-jung's forehead. It was obvious who she meant.
The three women laughed and chatted, celebrating Hyun-ah's engagement. And it was worth celebrating.
With the war against the darkness monsters skewing the gender ratio, it wasn't commonplace for a woman to get engaged to a man anymore—even with polygamy legalized alongside the cartels.
Especially to link up with a handsome or capable guy, you'd need major success or Mana Awakening to become a hero.
And it wasn't easy even with ordinary men, let alone Korea's—no, the world's—top hero, Han Minguk...
"Han Minguk should've been born sooner. Then I could've tried seducing him instead of Hyun-ah..."
Hyun-jung said enviously. Suddenly, memories of her steamy time with him flooded back—an unforgettable peak of ecstasy.
"Ahh, that would've been amazing. Then I could've squeezed in there too, like a third wheel?"
Hyun-jung snorted at her secretary's genuinely regretful expression, shelving her fantasies.
"Huh? What are you talking about? If I were Han Minguk's wife, I'd definitely kick you out."
"Ha? You know clan operations would grind to a halt without me, right? Watch what you say."
"Ugh..."
Hyun-jung shook her head with a sigh at her secretary's unyielding attitude. Then she looked at her sister with pride.
'I thought she was just some immature girl chasing after guys...'
How had she grown so much?
A few years ago, her sister had been just a promising hero. But after joining GGW raid team under Minguk as raid leader, she'd steadily grown into Korea's ace tank.
Not only did she possess the legendary Phoenix Knight class, but she'd also conquered an 【A - 4】 difficulty dungeon, reaching 8-star hero status.
She was outperforming even her days as R's's golden child.
"You'll handle it fine, but dungeons are dangerous—don't forget to take care of yourself. And don't torment Han Minguk too much."
"Don't worry. I'm GGW's main tank, you know. And as for tormenting..."
Hyun-ah trailed off, rolling the words in her mouth. Honestly, Minguk was the one wearing them out, not the other way around.
"Fair enough..."
"Come to think of it, Han Minguk is amazing too. Conquering dungeons like that isn't easy."
The two women nodded in agreement at Hyun-ah's lingering words.
GGW raid team's schedule was on another level from typical teams.
Others cleared same-grade dungeons once every two weeks, but GGW barely took a day off until they'd cleared two 【A - 4】 dungeons in a row.
'That's how we gained experience and skill so fast, but...'
It wouldn't have been possible without the female heroes' hidden motives to impress Minguk. Plus, his rewards were what everyone craved.
"The Hero Association has high hopes too. When Kang Chae-young from Memoria announced her retirement, Lee Si-yeon's face was priceless. But thanks to you all, she's less worried lately."
"When we first heard Kang Chae-young was pregnant and retiring..."
"She looked like a ghost."
Hyun-jung clicked her tongue.
Kang Chae-young, Korea's representative dealer, had started shining a full decade ago.
Yet Korea hadn't nurtured anyone to replace her in all that time. Even Memoria's first-string players lacked her special something.
At least Han Minguk had risen through two dungeon breaks; without him, the darkness monster defense strategy might've crumbled.
Still, things weren't great.
With two dungeon breaks heightening fears of all-out war, more domestic heroes were leaving for abroad. In terms of raid power, it was better ten years ago at Chae-young's debut.
"...Heroes are still heading overseas a lot these days?"
"Well, Korea doesn't treat heroes that well—high-difficulty dungeons aplenty, low pay. Our clan’s lucky, though."
"No one's transferring out thanks to Han Minguk; applicants are even increasing. Whereas..."
Small and mid-tier clans without named heroes were in chaos. Some even ran raids without proper 2-tank-5-dealer-3-healer setups.
"This damn war needs to end soon..."
Hyun-jung spun an imaginary cigarette, thinking of Korea's grim situation.
It wasn't a century long, but close—and with the Twelve Calamities around, no end in sight.
"Anyway, with GGW conquering up to 【A - 4】... We should snag some higher dungeons next year. Might reclaim the ranker clan title too."
Hyun-jung's secretary said gratefully.
R's, once prestigious, had declined after named raid leader Park Da-young retired.
They even lost ranker clan status when the unexpected GGW surged, matching or surpassing the first string's raid power.
Naturally, R's with two first-string-level teams got higher dungeon clearances—and the loot all went to the clan.
"We might even get 【A - 1】 or 【A - 2】 permissions like Memoria."
Hyun-ah flinched at her sister's hopeful tone before replying.
"...It seems possible."
She wished it came later, though.
The schedule was packed enough already. Meanwhile, Minguk's lobbying for Chilbo Mountain Twin Valleys Dungeon was underway via Kang Chae-young.
"Chilbo Mountain Twin Valleys Dungeon?"
Memoria's raid leader tapped her Hero Pad at the voice from her phone. Specs for the dungeon appeared in detail.
"Oh, we cleared it recently. About a month of leeway..."
[Perfect. So you can approve it for us?]
"...Approve the clearance? A mom-to-be like you... Ah!"
The raid leader sounded puzzled at Chae-young's words, then exclaimed as it clicked.
"GGW? Han Minguk wants to clear Chilbo Mountain?"
[Yeah. Says he wants the Dawn Knight class from there.]
"...Not easy."
The rare Dawn Knight class stone was unique to that dungeon in Korea, but drop rates were abysmal. Even Memoria had only gotten two.
"And is it even worth it...?"
Besides extra damage to undead, it wasn't much better than standard classes. No need for GGW's tank lineup.
[Beats me. Dawn Knight feels like an excuse. I think they're after a new 【A - 4】 for experience.]
"Ahh... Could be. By the way, our Chae-young. Engaged to Minguk and suddenly all R's? Feeling a bit left out, sis?"
Memoria's raid leader grumbled.
Long-overdue contact, and it's for a clearance favor? Well, within her authority anyway.
[Ever heard of 'pretty boy tax'? Couldn't say no to his handsome face.]
"Ugh, unfair world. Lucky you, marrying that hunk? Heard the engagement ring's insane too?"
Her voice dripped envy.
Han Minguk commissioning a purple-grade mana crystal from Es Lante for Chae-young's ring was public knowledge.
[What? You have a boyfriend too?]
"We broke up! Broke up!"
Memoria's raid leader snapped at Chae-young's question. Busy schedules meant few meets; he felt no love left and called it quits.
Realizing her shout, she softened apologetically.
"Oops, startled the baby probably. Baby doing okay?"
[Yeah. Our little tree's growing great.]
"...Tree?"]
[Nickname 'cause I told it to root deep in mommy's belly. Cute, right?]
"Not bad. Anyway, mommy... Jealous."
Having a child was every woman's dream, especially female heroes.
"I'll visit soon. Introduce me to Han Minguk too."
[Tsk... Up to no good?]
"Why not? Could work out for me. Don't forget our bond, okay?"
Checking raid time approaching, Memoria's raid leader ended the call. Before standing, she approved Chilbo Mountain for R's.
No-brainer decision.
"Maybe we can catch a breather..."
She said relieved.
Memoria first string handled most high-difficulty domestic dungeons; offloading an 【A - 4】 was welcome.