Chapter 246
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: Daegu Liberation Operation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"The next dungeon we'll be tackling is the Uirim Dungeon in Jecheon. Just like before, this is a request from the Hero Association, so if we clear it successfully, there'll be a personal reward for each of us."
Han Minguk pressed on diligently, conquering one new dungeon after another.
He had to satisfy Ppuu's quests just as much as Qoo♡'s.
To claim the legendary class reward called Flame's Radiance, he needed to fulfill the objectives of both messengers at the same time—not just one.
The Korean Hero Association welcomed Team GGW's efforts with open arms.
Even if the top ranker clans in the country managed the higher-difficulty dungeons, Korea had suffered two dungeon breaks, leaving a backlog of high-level dungeons with ticking timers that needed urgent resolution.
Moreover, internal clan issues often delayed clears on those upper-tier dungeons, making the timer problem a chronic headache for the Hero Association.
And into this mess came Team GGW as saviors.
"Uirim Dungeon? If we're going all the way to Jecheon, does that mean we take a plane?"
"No, since we're crossing the defensive line, the military will escort us. Besides, even if monsters show up..."
With Team GGW's skills, they could shred any monsters before they even got close.
Especially since the team included Shin Nayeon, who wielded the mana orb—a weapon specialized for massacring regular monsters. One flash from that orb rendered hundreds or thousands of common foes useless.
Large monsters were no different.
In sniper mode, Choi Yuna's arrows would feel like rocket launchers. Unless it was a named-grade darkness monster, nothing could stand against Team GGW. Or unless it was one of those massive hordes that only appeared during a dungeon break.
"So, where exactly is Jecheon?"
Tanya tilted her head, unfamiliar with Korean geography. Sojeong answered her question.
"It's a city about an hour and a half drive from Seoul. There's a reservoir called Uirim Lake nearby, and they call the dungeon there the Uirim Dungeon."
"Near a reservoir... Does that mean it's an underwater dungeon?"
"Ugh... I hate water with a passion."
Jeong Ye-rin shook her head at Tanya's question.
The others reacted similarly. Underwater dungeons were tough to explore just because of the water.
The assault on the [A - 5] difficulty Uirim Dungeon took about ten days from entry to finally taking down all the named bosses.
It had taken a bit longer than the same-difficulty Daegok Starlight Dungeon, mainly because parts of the dungeon required swimming to traverse.
Even after wipes, regrouping took considerable time.
Plus, some named bosses had trickier attack patterns than in Daegok Starlight, forcing the team—including Minguk—to adapt and struggle a fair bit.
Underwater dungeons are a pain even for mobility, let alone the named bosses. I wonder if there are dungeons in the ocean too? And if there are, how the hell do you clear those?
Minguk asked Ppuu and Qoo♡.
If there was a dungeon in the deep sea, reaching it would be a nightmare, not to mention fending off marine monster attacks along the way.
And getting ambushed in the crushing depths? No hero could survive that. The real issue was that failing to clear underwater dungeons meant they could never end the war against these darkness monsters.
To seriously tackle underwater dungeons, it's best to first subdue the Pacific's Leviathan—also known as one of the Twelve Disasters. That way, the deep-sea darkness monsters won't swarm you.
...So how do I deal with that thing? If it's a Pacific Twelve Disaster, that means it's in the Pacific. But I can't even enter a deep-sea dungeon right now.
...Fighting!
Cheer up, Minguk!
"These damn..."
Minguk grimaced at the two messengers, who vanished without another word alongside their messages.
It wasn't a huge issue since he wasn't tackling Leviathan anytime soon, but thinking ahead already gave him a headache.
He'd have to seriously ponder underwater dungeon strategies later.
Maybe the Land of Plenty has some method...?
The thought crossed his mind.
But with America struggling to hold its darkness monster defensive line, they probably didn't have anything special. Plus, they were focusing their national power on dealing with 'Silverback,' one of the Twelve Disasters on their own soil.
In that situation, they had no bandwidth for the Pacific's Leviathan.
Anyway, once preparations were complete, Minguk planned to hit the Daegu Dungeon next, building experience on top-tier difficulties before taking out Vietnam's weakened Garuda—due to consecutive failed dungeon breaks.
Timeline: within 2-3 years.
He had to finish before Garuda regained its strength. The rest of the Twelve Disasters could wait.
"Then let's head back."
With another successful clear of an [A - 5] dungeon, all that remained for Ppuu's quest was one more [A - 5], two [A - 4]s, and one [A - 3].
Qoo♡'s quests—conquering heroes and civilians, plus the foursome—were a breeze.
Just call Han Ji-min and her friends, and it was done.
They needed one more girl, but among Ji-min's delinquent crew, plenty would do anything to meet the male hero Minguk.
"Sejeong, you look all dolled up today."
"Oh, thanks. We have that meeting with Luna Clan for the ad today, right?"
Sejeong had been smiling a lot lately. Her long-troubled relationship with her younger sibling had resolved smoothly.
And that wasn't all.
Thanks to her brother's halo effect, work was going incredibly well.
Working at an ad agency, she'd once pulled all-nighters as routine, staying until midnight thanks to clients and partners.
But ever since word got out that her brother was Han Minguk, her treatment changed inside and outside the company. She was living proof that connections to the famous made life easier.
Mom says not to name-drop Minguk, but...
She never even brought it up, yet somehow everyone knew, and conversations always started with her brother. They even went out of their way to accommodate her, so Sejeong had no desire to refuse the perks.
It made her mother's refusal to mention her son at work all the more admirable.
Her friends' attitudes had shifted too, naturally. Though none asked for an intro to Minguk.
His presence was just too overwhelming, even as 'a friend's little brother.'
Minguk was leading Team GGW on Hero Association requests, clearing [A - 5] dungeons. Rose Shield and the Association hyped it up, boosting his popularity even higher.
He'd always been big, but post-Kang Chaeyoung's retirement, he was solidifying as the national hero. And now, as her fiancé after the engagement ceremony, even more so.
"I heard Hero Han Minguk had his engagement party the other day. How was it?"
"It was at Raon Hotel. I felt a bit bittersweet."
After the Luna Clan meeting, over a casual meal, Sejeong answered the question about Minguk with a wistful expression—mimicking the typical big sister's reaction to her little brother getting hitched.
The engagement-cum-family-meeting had been all smiles and warmth. A bit awkward at first after so long apart, but family was family, and that faded quickly.
"Yeah, makes sense. Hero Han Minguk's only... twenty-five? That's super young to settle down."
"If they're both happy, why not? And the bride's Kang Chaeyoung, after all."
Sejeong chuckled at the Luna Clan rep's words.
Then, as if remembering something, she let out a soft exclamation. Minguk had mentioned at the party to set something up soon with Da-eun.
"...Well then, looking forward to a great promo ad."
"Happy to take it on."
Heading back to the office post-meeting, Sejeong checked her bestie's profile on her phone.
"Sigh. As if changing her profile will make that ex come crawling back..."
[Lee Da-eun - Words from the Heart.]
Her friend, still hung up on her ex, had a breakup song title and a clover tattoo on her neck as her profile pic.
Sejeong messaged her brother right away and got confirmation he was free this weekend—fresh off a dungeon clear with two days' rest.
With Minguk's schedule locked, she texted her friend.
What're you up to?
Hey! Still at the office. Fuck, this company's overtime is life. Damn. You off already?
Yeah.
Wait, your company's not like that! Why's it suddenly acting like a mega-corp? And why you betraying solo? We OT together!
Sejeong smirked at the palpable grievance in the messages and replied.
Thanks to my bro. Everyone at work's scrambling to impress Minguk. As if crumbs will fall their way.
Tsk... I needed a brother like Han Minguk... Why'd my parents give me a bitchy little sister instead of a cute bro...
What's wrong with Dajeong?
Crazy bitch's obsessed with some weird male celeb lately, causing chaos.
Just like her big sis. Anyway, clear your weekend. Got someone to introduce.
Busy weekend.
Sejeong sighed and shook her head at her friend's instant wall, without even asking who. But once she learned who, would she say the same?
Introducing my brother?
...Han Minguk? F-for real?
Yep.
Minguk's name was powerful indeed. It shook even a woman steadfastly loyal to her ex.
At the promise of meeting Minguk, Da-eun vowed to make time, diving into overtime. Endless work or not, grinding now meant the company wouldn't call her in over the weekend.
Funny and sad reason. And the weekend arrived.
"...You went all out on the glam."
At 7 p.m., meeting at the spot, Sejeong was stunned by her friend's transformation.
It felt awkward seeing Da-eun so unlike her usual self. Da-eun felt the same.
"Pot calling the kettle. What's with the full makeup just to see your brother?"
"If I don't go this hard, I can't even snap a pic with him."
"Ahh..."
Da-eun nodded knowingly at Sejeong's words. Thinking of Han Minguk's looks, yeah—unless you were a hero, standing next to him for a photo took guts.
"So when's your bro getting here?"
"Follow me."
Sejeong led her friend to the meeting spot.
It was a quiet bar in a secluded area with a secret room—perfect for undisturbed chats with acquaintances.
Given who the guy was, they had to dodge public eyes, so only places like this worked.
Thus, Da-eun felt nothing off about the venue Sejeong chose. A woman summoning a man might raise brows, but this was the reverse.