Chapter 276
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 276
Chapter Title: Nanjing Conquest Battle
Having successfully cleared Zone 1 of the Nanjing Dungeon—an S-rank difficulty dungeon—by taking down up to the third named boss, Minguk gave his team members three days of rest before tackling Zone 2.
The reason for granting them rest was nothing major.
"So, you're saying the first named boss, the Goba King of the Abyss, will respawn in 76 hours?"
"Yes, that's what it says on the Hero Pad."
"The respawn time is incredibly fast... Does that mean Raishen's respawn period is around the same level as the Goba King's?"
So-jeong bit her lip and touched it with her hand, looking troubled as she brought up the Nanjing Dungeon's second named boss in return.
"No, fortunately, it seems only the first named has an unusually quick respawn. I asked the PLA side, and they had a similar experience."
"That's a relief."
So-jeong let out a sigh of relief at Minguk's words.
That meant after dealing with the newly respawning Goba King of the Abyss, they could properly continue trialing Zone 2.
Still, the unexpectedly fast respawn time of the Goba King was likely to drag on their schedule.
Because midway through trials, they'd have to take time to clean up Zone 1 by handling the Goba King and the shadow monsters it spawned.
"But in three days, couldn't we take down the fourth named boss too? We don't really need to give the raid team a break..."
So-jeong asked cautiously.
Considering the GGW raid team's and Minguk's skills, they could trial the named boss at least thirty times in three days. If luck was on their side, they might even defeat it; even if not, they'd rack up plenty of trial experience.
But the words from Minguk's mouth were about giving the team a rest. For someone like Minguk, who pushed schedules tightly, it felt a bit unexpected.
"Sure, but we've been running nonstop for almost a month, right?"
"Ah..."
In response to So-jeong's question, Minguk took a sip of his warm tea and said,
"We need to give them some time to recharge."
Even though they'd only taken down three monsters in nearly a month, the GGW heroes had trialed hundreds of times combined during that period.
No matter how accustomed to death heroes were, this much would wear down their spirits. That was why Minguk hugged his team members every day.
In any case, he planned to give them three days of rest this time.
"Why don't you head to Seoul while you're at it, Noona? Sohyun must miss you too, right?"
"C-Can I do that?"
"Of course."
"Then I won't refuse..."
At Minguk's ready agreement, So-jeong brightened up.
They video-called every day, but it couldn't compare to holding her child in person. Plus, it had been nearly a month since the GGW raid team came to China.
"Korea? Hmm... I don't really want to go..."
But surprisingly, not many wanted to return home. Giselle and Yuna were prime examples.
With only three days given, more people preferred staying in China to relax rather than flying back and forth. Especially since Shanghai was one of China's major cities.
"I'm planning to sightsee in Shanghai too."
"Yeah?"
The team's youngest, Na-yeon, also decided to stay in China.
When asked why, it seemed some organizations were hounding her now that she'd become a 9-star hero. She didn't want that attention, so she had no desire to go back to Korea.
For those reasons, the only ones heading to Korea briefly during this break were Minguk, Hyun-ah, and Kim So-jeong.
"...Heading to Korea? Tch, that's a shame."
PLA clan's Xiao Ran showed great disappointment at Minguk's decision.
And understandably so—when the GGW raid team rested, there was a high chance of spending hot time with Minguk. But Minguk had things to do in Korea too.
More precisely, someone to meet.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Before heading to the airport, Minguk called Ye-rin over and asked her to manage the team well.
"Got it. I'll take responsibility and look after the kids. Don't worry too much."
"Even if the PLA clan is providing support, if anything happens, contact me right away, okay?"
Minguk said, waving his phone. He didn't think anything big would happen, but it felt like leaving kids by the water's edge.
Still, it was fortunate that calm Ye-rin was staying. Na-yeon was remarkably mature for the youngest too.
Thus, Minguk ended his month-long expedition and returned to Seoul via Shanghai airport. It was a short three-day-two-night vacation, but still.
"Bwaaaaa!!!"
Seeing his daughter after a month was deeply moving.
As soon as he got home, Minguk smiled faintly at So-young beaming at him.
He couldn't tell if she was calling him or just screaming, but the baby making any sound felt cute and magical.
"Bathroom, bathroom!"
Meanwhile, Hyun-ah dashed to the bathroom, quickly washed her hands, and picked up So-young, who was toddling around in her walker.
It wasn't her mom, but surprisingly, So-young didn't reject Hyun-ah's touch.
'They say even babies judge by looks...'
She couldn't take her eyes off Hyun-ah, probably because Hyun-ah was pretty. Holding So-young, Hyun-ah asked apron-clad Kang Chae-young,
"Unnie! Can So-young walk yet?"
At Hyun-ah's out-of-the-blue question, Chae-young chuckled and replied,
"No. It's still a ways off. She's just zooming around in the walker. But you saw her roll over before, right?"
"Huh? Yeah. But once she masters rolling, she'll sit up soon, and after sitting, she'll start walking..."
"It doesn't happen that fast. She needs at least another hundred days. But she navigates the world like a pro in the walker."
Chae-young said, gazing lovingly at her daughter in Hyun-ah's arms.
While Minguk and Hyun-ah were on the Nanjing expedition, the spacious living room had filled with new baby gear. All for So-young, naturally.
Minguk fiddled with the new items one by one, then glanced at the kitchen ingredients: ribs, fish, japchae fixings.
"Were you cooking?"
"Yeah. After your hard work in China, this much is the least I can do."
Chae-young smiled.
Everyone in the know was aware the GGW raid team was successfully conquering the Nanjing Dungeon. Proof: Na-yeon became Korea's first 9-star hero.
Plus, Chae-young was still in close contact with the Memoria raid team.
"I'll help."
"You can rest..."
"I'm way better at cooking than you, aren't I?"
"...Ugh. True, so it hurts more."
While Hyun-ah played with So-young, Minguk prepared the meal with Kang Chae-young.
Chae-young's menu was Korean classics like braised ribs and japchae. Memories from his cookhouse and solo living days made it easy, and tablet recipes gave exact ratios.
"Na-yeon hit 9-star first this expedition, right? Was there a reason you prioritized her?"
"Yeah. Against strong monsters, firepower is key above all."
Chae-young nodded in understanding, then pouted.
"Our Na-yeon was supposed to be Memoria's future, succeeding me... I really shouldn't have let her go back then."
"Wasn't it because of that bet? Who was it? That guy, right?"
"Ah... That damn jerk. Can't even remember his name now. Anyway, because that bastard fled to Brazil. Now they're saying Memoria's rankings will drop because of R’s this time..."
"Huh? Our Memoria? You should be cheering for R’s now."
The two chatted while chopping or stirring pans.
The topics were all raid and hero-related, but that alone made Chae-young happy and at ease.
This must be why women want to marry quick. And thinking of tonight...
"Why?"
Minguk tilted his head at Chae-young suddenly flinching and shuddering. Maybe hot oil splashed her? But no.
"N-No, nothing. Don't you know I'm a hero? Even sliced by a knife, I wouldn't flinch."
"Uh... True."
Chae-young awkwardly laughed and waved it off at her husband's reaction.
'Am I that starved?'
Just a naughty thought, and her panties felt damp. That night, after putting So-young to bed, Chae-young pounced on Minguk, unleashing all her pent-up desire.
After arriving in Korea, cutting off all contact, and resting fully at home for a day, Minguk left as dusk fell. He had an appointment.
"You're early."
After twenty minutes of driving, Tae-yeon was already waiting at the meeting spot.
He knew she was swamped as Raon Group's acting chair, but she'd made real time today. Compared to a month ago, her belly had grown noticeably.
"Oh? You came?"
"Yeah. A month, right?"
"Precisely, a bit over 40 days. Anyway, I've been following the China news. Clearing Nanjing Dungeon's Zone 1, getting the Silver-grade mana crystal too."
It was all over broadcasts daily; not knowing would be weirder.
Plus, GGW's Nanjing conquest would hugely impact domestic guilds, success or failure.
"Yeah. How have you been? And Tough Guy?"
"Good. Seems to be growing well, thankfully."
"I want to hold our Tough Guy... But probably not now?"
"Too many eyes."
Tae-yeon stuck out her tongue cutely and gently stroked her belly.
This held the fruit of her and Minguk's love. Plus, Tough Guy was a rare boy in this world.
Given the bloodline, interest in him was off the charts—no need to explain. That's why Kim Hye-jin, Raon Group's heir presumptive, Kim Tae-yeon's grandmother, and former political retiree, announced her return to politics.
The reason was obvious. Anyway, pregnant with a boy, Tae-yeon got top-tier group care.
"People are going nuts over Tough Guy. Everyone freaks out over every little thing I do— you know?"
She said that, but didn't seem to hate the attention. Precisely, she seemed happy carrying Tough Guy.
"Means take care of yourself. Anyway, when's the due date?"
"About two months left scheduled... Not sure exactly."
"Two months..."
"Why? Coming then?"
Tae-yeon paused, looking at Minguk, a strange anticipation on her face.
"Of course."
Of course, fully conquering Nanjing Dungeon before then was impossible.
Considering Zone 1 named bosses' strength and patterns, GGW heroes needed time to adapt.
But he could probably squeeze in short Korea visits like this. Minguk dated Kim Tae-yeon, returned home late, and flew back to Shanghai with Hyun-ah the next day.
To defeat the Goba King of the Abyss forming from the dungeon's mana and start Zone 2 in earnest.
"Alright, let's speed through this dungeon conquest."
Resuming the Nanjing Dungeon assault, Minguk and GGW raid team perfectly cleared Zone 2 in 27 days.
Then Zone 3 in 21 days, surpassing PLA clan's failures. Naturally, PLA and China went into uproar.
Defeating Zone 3's gatekeeper—a 9th-grade special entity—Minguk got another Silver-grade mana crystal, boosting GGW raid specs right away.
Kim So-jeong, GGW Raid Team's Founding Member and Big Sis, Becomes 9-Star Hero!
Korea's Second 9-Star Hero is Rose Shield's Kim So-jeong!
Naturally, Minguk's principle during dungeon trials was to boost dealers' specs first.
At least until smoothly conquering Nanjing Dungeon, all Silver-grade mana crystals went to dealers.