Chapter 23

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 23

Chapter Title: Raid Qualification Exam

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"What... is this?"

Leading a raid wasn't something just anyone could do.

Not only did you have to faithfully perform your own role, but you also had to handle the inevitable crises that arose during battle by adapting to the situations of your teammates and the entire raid team. That meant there were an incredible number of things to keep an eye on.

By Oh Hyun-jung's standards, Han Minguk's leadership in the video was close to a perfect 100 out of 100. His field of vision for monitoring his teammates' situations was especially impressive.

"This guy's just a rookie reserve hero raid leader...?"

No matter how many times she watched the video, it was hard to believe. On top of that, he was equipped with gear below the recommended level for the dungeon. And yet, he was progressing through the raid with remarkable stability. That alone proved Minguk's skills were far from ordinary.

The key point was that those skills shone brightest when he was leading.

'An A-rank healer who can lead.'

His growth potential seemed sky-high. With the right nurturing, he could easily become a healer worthy of representing an entire raid team. Greed flickered in Oh Hyun-jung's eyes.

- Isn't he amazing? That's why he wants to join our clan...

For a newcomer like this, she had to pull out all the stops to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠recruit him into the clan. He was a standout prospect incomparable to the rookies slated to join this year. He even outshone her own sister, Hyun-ah, who was ranked 71st among this year's recruits.

No, calling him a mere prospect might even be underselling it. Minguk's leadership had shocked even Oh Hyun-jung, who had spent years alongside veteran raid leaders. She wanted to ask who had taught him.

"What are the conditions?"

Oh Hyun-jung calmed her excitement as much as possible and asked in a composed voice. Minguk was a talent Rose Shield absolutely had to acquire. But showing too much eagerness from the start could complicate the contract negotiations.

'Should I match newbie ranking 20th, no, top 10 level? The first team needs reinforcements too, but I don't know if we have budget left this year.'

If his skills in the video were real, she wasn't even sure what conditions to offer. Oh Hyun-jung focused on the call, her ears attuned to what would come next.

- Well, he wants to run his own team. It's a 5-man team now, but he plans to expand it into a raid team later. And he wants about $3,000 a week.

"...Huh?"

The conditions were surprisingly modest. A reflexive response slipped from Oh Hyun-jung's lips.

"Done. Throw in dorm support too. In exchange, he joins our clan unconditionally."

Even as she said it, a twinge of unease gnawed at Oh Hyun-jung.

A male hero who could lead raids. A healer class in short supply, no less. And though samples were limited, he'd even posted an A+ contribution against a Tier 3 monster. Other clans who checked Minguk's records were undoubtedly eyeing him too.

Moreover, the entry conditions weren't demanding. Creating a team at the leader's discretion was a simple matter.

Rose Shield, like other clans, already provided separate operation allowances for first- or second-year recruits running their own teams. It was stipulated in the contracts—an investment in grooming experienced raid leaders.

'Weekly pay? If those skills are legit, I wouldn't bat an eye at paying ten times that.'

However, with Rose Shield's tightening finances lately, $5,000 a week was the limit. $3,000 was more than manageable.

"Not the scout team—I'll head straight to your place myself. Let's draw up the contract right away."

She'd already lost out on the promising raid leader Yoo Seo-yeon to aggressive American investment, so Oh Hyun-jung wouldn't relax until she had Minguk's signature today. Fortunately, the star of the video was living with her sister.

Minguk stared at the contract laid out before him. The Rose Shield leader—and Hyun-ah's older sister—was beaming at him.

"I lowered the signing bonus a bit and raised the weekly pay. That's what rookies ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠prefer these days. Oh, and of course, we can renew the contract annually."

"Hmm..."

"Also, I heard Hero Han Minguk already has his own Revival Stones. If you use a personal one during a raid, the clan will reimburse you at market price. And if you want to sell any, we'll buy them right away."

"I'll think about that."

Minguk reviewed the contract again. The terms alone were more than satisfactory. Most importantly, his own team would be formed immediately upon joining the clan. Her condition of including Hyun-ah as a team member had been accepted without issue.

"Do I have to recruit the other three members myself?"

"If that's what you want. Or we can recommend some from the clan."

"Teaming up with people from other clans..."

"That wouldn't work. It has to be a Rose Shield team. But if you really want heroes from other clans, discuss it with me, and I'll accommodate as much as possible. Hero transfers between clans are common. Though, if their price tags are too high, the clan's finances..."

Minguk nodded firmly. He had no intention of teaming up with heroes from other clans anyway.

Matching with top-tier talent from the start would be ideal, but experience would sharpen skills regardless.

'The vibe's not bad.'

As Minguk reviewed the contract, Oh Hyun-jung watched with a meaningful gaze. Fortunately, he seemed pleased with her offer. Her sister, standing behind her, gave a thumbs-up.

And then Minguk nodded silently.

"Just sign here?"

"Yes."

The signature was done in an instant. Oh Hyun-jung extended her hand to Minguk.

"Welcome to Rose Shield. Phew... Good thing we got the contract signed. I was worried you'd go to another clan."

Minguk shook her hand with a smile.

"Raid leaders that scarce, huh?"

"Yes. Skilled raid leaders are treasures every clan desperately wants. Leading heroes against the Hordes of Darkness isn't for just anyone."

Moreover, raid leaders bore the brunt of criticism based on performance. Raid failures fell squarely on their shoulders. That stress was why recently Mana Awakened heroes were avoiding the role.

"Anyway, Rose Shield looks forward to seeing Hero Han Minguk grow into an outstanding raid leader."

"Oh, there's one thing in the contract I'm curious about. Mind if I ask?"

"Of course."

Was there something off? Oh Hyun-jung's eyes flicked to the contract.

"The dungeon clear requirements for this year mean I have to clear that many dungeons in the next year while active with Rose Shield, right?"

"That's correct. Clearing a dungeon every five days or so should cover it easily."

"What if I clear a dungeon of 【B-4】 or higher difficulty—like one with a Tier 5 boss monster? How does that affect the contract?"

"Hmm..."

Oh Hyun-jung's first thought at Minguk's question was, 'Is that even possible?'

To tackle a Tier 5 monster, the team's average Gear Score needed to hit around 230. And that was just the start. Tier 5 monsters unleashed diverse, devastating attacks, much like the differences between Tier 2 and 3 bosses.

Team members had to familiarize themselves with attack patterns, adapt to constantly shifting timings and crises, and handle gimmicks or objects. That was why the contract only went up to 【B-5】 difficulty.

In short, Tier 5 monster raids weren't child's play for rookie raid leaders. Even rushing Revival Stones had limits—their prices weren't cheap.

Revival Stones obtainable only from clears were trending more expensive too. Repeated failures would bleed the clan dry.

"If that happens, we'd rewrite the contract. This one would be insultingly inadequate for a raid leader capable of Tier 5 boss raids."

After a moment's thought, Oh Hyun-jung spoke slowly. If Minguk succeeded against a Tier 5 boss, she'd have to offer terms several times better to keep other clans at bay.

With questions answered, Oh Hyun-jung gathered the contract and prepared to leave.

"Oh! You can start raid activities tomorrow. Come to the clan house in the morning, and we'll discuss the rookie members. I'll text you the exact time."

"Could I get profiles of the clan-recommended members beforehand?"

"Sure. I'll email them when you arrive at the clan house."

Minguk nodded. With Hyun-ah as tank and himself as healer, he just needed three dealers. His rough plan: one melee, two ranged. The standard party setup.

"Wow! We're in the same clan now?"

Hyun-ah, who had stayed quiet until the contract with Rose Shield was done, burst into cheers the moment Oh Hyun-jung left. From Hero Academy to the same clan—it felt like some fateful route.

'If this keeps up...'

Handsome, a rare male Mana Awakened hero, and incredibly skilled to boot. Hyun-ah's cheeks flushed crimson as she glanced at Minguk beside her.

"Yeah. Worked out great."

Minguk smiled. Teaming with a top tank like Hyun-ah would make raids far smoother.

His words echoed in Hyun-ah's mind, "worked out great" spilling from her lips in a murmur. And on days like this...

"Wanna grab a celebratory drink?"

"Sounds good. I got the signing bonus—my treat."

Minguk agreed to Hyun-ah's suggestion. Days like this called for meat and soju.

The spot was the same cheap meat joint from before. Old habits from his modest background lingered; this world's pricey cuts still felt alien. But the taste was solid.

What mattered was the company. And Hyun-ah, the beauty who clearly liked him, made for the perfect drinking buddy.

"...Huh?"

They were having a blast when Minguk's phone buzzed with a message.