Chapter 260

Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 260

Chapter Title: National Hero

"Our Team GGW raid team, including myself, has six heroes who can reach 9-star by absorbing just Silver-grade mana crystals. The remaining members are also set to complete their Purple-grade crystal absorptions in the near future."

"W-What?!"

"If they've finished absorbing mana, that means... they just need Silver crystals to become 9-star heroes?!"

"Are Team GGW's members really that amazing?"

"You call that amazing? Who do you think Han Minguk raided dungeons with?"

The conference hall erupted in murmurs as soon as Minguk finished speaking.

The reporters weren't the only ones shocked. Even the Rose Shield clan representatives assisting with the press conference widened their eyes in surprise.

'I knew Team GGW's specs were incredibly high, but...'

Just witnessing them successfully clear the Daegu City Hall dungeon—an [A-2] difficulty—gave a solid idea of their capabilities.

But over half the team being on the cusp of 9-star? That was truly astonishing. Even the reporter who'd asked the question hadn't expected Team GGW to be this impressive.

'At this level... they've already surpassed Memoria, haven't they?'

'What about the Shield-class raid teams right now?'

The reporters' minds raced, quickly reaching a consensus.

This put them beyond Korea's strongest, Memoria, and on par with humanity's last bastion—the Shield-class raid teams, ultimate shields of mankind.

Yet Team GGW had been officially established just over two years ago.

In other words, they weren't a veteran squad like the Shield-class teams or Korea's famed raid groups, hardened by decades battling shadow monsters.

In fact, raid leader Minguk and the rest of Team GGW were fresh-faced young heroes just shedding their "rising star" label. But Minguk's statement wasn't over yet.

"Additionally, including myself with the Legendary class 'Yggdrasil,' Oh Hyun-ah, Kim So-jeong, Giselle Budsen, Kendall Budsen, and Jung Ye-rin—six heroes in total—have successfully acquired Legendary classes. Our raid team's average Gear Score is 1184."

The reporter who'd asked the question stared at Minguk, muttering under their breath as he continued.

"Wow... Is Team GGW the dream raid team bringing hope to humanity?"

Minguk let out a small chuckle at the reporter's words. It felt a bit absurd.

But the other reporters nearby nodded in agreement, one after another.

And this revelation from Minguk didn't just shock the journalists in the hall—it stunned viewers worldwide tuning into the live interview. Even other heroes felt the impact.

"Whoa. At ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that level... they could be called Korea's top raid team, right?"

A hero from Memoria's first string crunched down on the candy in their mouth.

"Korea's top? They might become humanity's strongest soon enough."

"Arghhh... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I should've joined Rose Shield instead of Memoria."

"If you'd gone to Rose Shield and Han Minguk came to Memoria instead, that'd be perfect."

Despite this announcement potentially handing the "Korea's strongest" title to Rose Shield, not a single Memoria hero showed jealousy or envy toward Minguk or Team GGW.

It made sense—their relationships with her and Minguk were solid, and with shadow monsters as a common foe, stronger rival teams meant less burden on them.

Besides, Memoria and Han Minguk shared bonds beyond the ordinary. Kang Chae-young, Memoria's Legend hero and their senior, was Minguk's wife. And Kim Tae-yeon, heir to the Raon Group—Mémoria's parent company—was Minguk's pregnant fiancée.

"Anyway, watching them clear dungeons makes it seem like that's just par for the course."

Someone said it while watching the broadcast, and nearby heroes nodded in agreement.

They'd all seen firsthand how brutally and relentlessly Team GGW tackled the Daegu City Hall dungeon alongside them.

Minguk and Team GGW ran a hardcore schedule, clearing Korea's most dangerous [A-2] dungeon three times a week. Anyone on that grind would show growth like theirs.

The press conference continued.

"To that end, Team GGW plans to tackle [S]-difficulty dungeons to secure Silver-grade mana crystals for our members' growth."

Minguk announced their [S]-difficulty plans in response to a question about Silver-grade crystals. But there was something to handle first.

"As part of that, we'll first target an [A-1]-difficulty dungeon in Southeast Asia, of course, with the relevant authorities' permission."

The Indochinese Peninsula and the Malay Archipelago to its southeast.

This battleground of past shadow monster wars had suffered multiple dungeon breaks, leaving over half its habitable land tainted by the void.

Numerous unmanaged [A-1]-difficulty dungeons dotted the area, their timers unchecked.

Regions like Java, Sulawesi, and Borneo were already forsaken by humanity, overrun as shadow monster strongholds amid nonstop breaks.

With the World Hero Association's aid, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula held on by a thread, but nearby [A-1] dungeons remained unconquered.

Thus, the Malaysian and Indonesian governments kept pleading for help from Shield-class teams like White House, Imperial Guard, or Red Tank Raid.

But the dangers and their packed schedules made progress slow. One [A-1] on Sumatra had just under two months on its timer, terrifying locals.

"That area's known as extremely hazardous—even Shield-class teams hesitate to approach."

"No matter the risk, it's humanity's land we must reclaim someday."

"Won't it conflict with the Shields' schedules?"

"I don't see that as an issue. Shields need breaks too. If Team GGW steps in for them, why would they refuse?"

"...No, they wouldn't."

Several reporters nodded at Minguk's responses.

The grueling schedules of Shields—who tackled top-tier [S], [A-1], and [A-2] dungeons for humanity's safety—were infamous, drawing widespread concern.

High-level dungeons littered the globe, overwhelming many nations' hero forces. Wide countries suffered most. Korea, despite two breaks, was blessed—its raid teams covered everything domestically.

"Fair point..."

"How many [A-1]s in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula? Four?"

"Three. Anyway, if GGW clears even one, it'll give the Shields breathing room. Even pros take a week minimum per [A-1] clear."

"That's without trials—factor those in, and it's a month at least."

The reporters shared opinions.

But all agreed: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Team GGW's moves would massively aid humanity. Minguk smirked inwardly watching them.

'Phew... Finally getting to this.'

Ppuu's quest was nearing its deadline.

'I'd forgotten about this one from over two years ago, but...'

Offering a Legendary class stone, Revival Stone, and Master Ticket, it was too valuable to abandon.

Minguk planned to complete it, snag another Legendary class to boost the team's power, then dive into [S]-difficulty dungeons.

'Not much longer now.'

Once they hit 9-star, the next target was clear: Garuda, one of the Twelve Calamities.

'Less than a year since the dungeon break ended... It hasn't recovered much strength yet.'

Toppling one Calamity would pave the way for the future.

Interest in Team GGW wasn't just Korean—it spanned the globe.

They grew at a blistering pace, "a different league every day." No raid team climbed rankings faster. They were saviors in the war against shadow monsters.

Of course, raid leader Han Minguk drew plenty of attention too.

Genius leader, Legendary class holder, Vietnam dungeon break solver—titles aside, her handsome looks made hearts flutter worldwide.

So, countless people globally watched her press conference on the Daegu City Hall [A-2] clear. Nothing surprising there.

And...

Minguk's declaration to tackle Southeast Asia's headache—the [A-1] dungeon terrorizing locals—set Malaysia ablaze.

Tencent from China, prepping for the Malay Peninsula's ticking [A-1], welcomed Team GGW's move with messages of genuine respect and gratitude.

China wasn't alone.

Mariam Rose, White House's main tank, sent a video letter to Team GGW. France's Imperial Guard saw dealer leader Chloe Castel visit Korea to congratulate her dear friend Kang Chae-young's pregnancy.

No one bought that as her only reason.

Paparazzi even snapped Minguk and Kim So-jeong visiting Chloe's hotel.

Nations with Shield-class teams suddenly reaching out to Team GGW? One reason: their own headaches—[S]-difficulty dungeons even Shields balked at.

"Hero Han Minguk's command skills outshine other top raid leaders, especially her multitasking, which is unparalleled. It hugely impacts complex high-difficulty trials, a key reason for Team GGW's high clear rates. Proof? The Garai raid during Vietnam's dungeon break."

As some expert noted, Minguk had long been pegged as the raid leader most primed for [S]-difficulty. Specs held her back before—now, they didn't.

Author's Note:

Surprise upload!

Enjoy~!