Chapter 38
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: EP.38 The Finest in the Bag
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"9 seconds."
This was the time left until Ye-rin Jeong, trapped in the ice prison, would break free. Meanwhile, the ice orb next to Choi Yuna—who was anxiously drawing her bow—had about 20 seconds until it exploded.
"Were we worrying for nothing? This is way more leeway than I thought."
After layering another protective shield on Hyun-ah, Minguk turned his recovery ability toward the tank.
Only then did he begin casting a recovery spell on Ye-rin. He'd timed it perfectly to start the incantation just as the ice prison melted away. Moments later, as the ice prison thawed, Ye-rin's wounds healed under the warm glow of Minguk's recovery ability.
"Choi Yuna!!!"
At Minguk's command, Yuna flicked the ice orb. The impact caused it to burst with a peng, sending ice particles scattering everywhere.
"Good! Back to S-formation! Let's focus properly from here on out!!!"
Having safely navigated the crisis, this raid was as good as won at this level. The near-disaster had sharpened the team's focus to the extreme. Ye-rin, too, would pour all her concentration into avoiding another mistake.
On top of that, the Ice Queen—Anisa—didn't have much HP left.
"Haaaaah!!"
Having endangered the team with her mistake, Ye-rin unleashed the mana within her body explosively against Anisa. Normally, this would have depleted her strength completely, leading to mana exhaustion.
But given the time constraints and that this would likely be their last raid of the day, Minguk let her go wild. Compared to the Flame Leg—Ifrit, gathering the keys from the illusions had taken quite a bit longer.
Shaaaa!
After smoothly handling a few more special patterns, they watched as Anisa's HP hit zero and she collapsed. Their second raid success.
Beep!
▶ Subjugation of the 'Illusion Dungeon' completed.
▶ 1 Achievement Point granted to Hero Pad.
▶ Hero Compendium count updated.
The Hero Pad's records were freshly updated. Achievement Points had already surpassed 20. Not an impressive number by any means, but these little accumulations proved a hero's exploits.
"...Sorry."
As the raid ended, Ye-rin bowed deeply to Minguk, her face full of remorse for trapping herself in the ice prison and endangering the team.
Minguk, having learned raids in virtual reality games, tended to be forgiving of mistakes once the boss was down.
"We got it done, that's what matters. Just don't let it happen twice."
"...In exchange, no kiss with the Raid Leader!"
Hyun-ah suddenly chimed in from behind. A lightbulb popped in Minguk's head. He'd forgotten the beauty's kiss again.
"Ah! Uh... W-well, can't be helped."
What was absurd was Ye-rin meekly nodding along in a deflated voice.
"... "
Who decided that? Why are you taking my kiss with Ye-rin? Isn't the reward mine to give?
All sorts of thoughts raced through his mind, but sensing the mood, Minguk kept quiet. Plenty of chances later anyway.
Clunk.
As per Ppuu's quest reward, the loot chest contained a mana crystal—this one a Crystal of Mental Power.
"Oh, nice."
Minguk cheered upon confirming it. Any crystal was useful to heroes, but Mental Power Crystals were sought by tanks, dealers, healers—everyone. Not top priority, but a solid second for all classes.
In Minguk's team, Tank Hyun-ah needed it most. Absorbing this would make her a 2-star hero.
"Hero Oh Hyun-ah."
Hyun-ah glanced back at Minguk's call, guilt flashing toward her teammates. She'd have absorbed two mana crystals already.
Meanwhile, Ye-rin and Yuna hadn't gotten a single one. Even Raid Leader Minguk hadn't absorbed any mana crystals yet.
"I'm fine, sis."
"A 2-star tank will block boss attacks better. Makes the Ice Queen that much easier next time, right?"
If it'd been a hard-fought raid, greed might've sparked. But with Raid Leader Minguk's guidance, Ice Queen—Anisa—was conquerable anytime.
"Thanks, everyone. I'll work harder."
Hyun-ah bowed to the team and Minguk, then absorbed the Mental Power Crystal he'd handed her.
Pzzt! Pzzzt!
Mana sparks flew from Hyun-ah's body as her internal mana purity hit its limit. The violent reaction forced even nearby Minguk to step back.
'Looking epic.'
Minguk felt like he was witnessing a legendary hero awakening. The lightning mana coursing through Hyun-ah evoked Thor from Norse myths.
Pzzzzzt!
Soon, the mana lightning sweeping her body and surroundings faded with a crackle. Hyun-ah slowly opened her eyes. She'd become a 2-star hero.
Proof: Her Hero Compendium thrashed visibly to everyone nearby.
"That wraps today's raids."
Confirming Hyun-ah's upgrade, Minguk called an end to the schedule.
Stepping out of the dungeon, warm sunlight enveloped the group. Ending early, it was just past 4 p.m.
"Seo-jung Kim and I have to head to the Clan House. What about the rest?"
"Me too, Clan House!"
Hyun-ah shot her hand up at Minguk's question. She wanted to brag about her promotion to her sister.
Not uncommon for first-year newbie heroes to absorb Red-grade crystals from special entities and hit 2-star—merely 3rd grade, after all, with successful parties popping up.
Clans sometimes pushed crystals, but pros and cons made it rare. Heroes leveled fast but lacked combat experience and pattern knowledge, turning into meat shields in high-difficulty raids.
'High level, low stats. Got it.'
But Hyun-ah had earned it through her own skill, soloing a special entity for the crystal.
"I'll go to the Clan House too."
Ye-rin raised her hand. The only one iced in the raid, her pride stung—she planned training in the practice room. Yuna tagged along, hating to be left out.
Arriving at the Clan House, Rose Shield's newbie Team GGW—4th squad—were greeted by interview requests from the press.
"Huh? Republic Daily?"
"That's right."
A career woman in a sharp black suit approached Minguk amid reports in the newbie 4th team's meeting room. She introduced herself as Rose Shield's PR Team Leader.
"Truth is, the Clan Leader planned to decline this interview."
But Korea's 10th awakened male hero, Raid Qualification certified, battling darkness monsters—Minguk's draw exceeded Clan Leader Oh Hyun-jung's expectations.
Plus, a Republic Daily reporter's clumsy moves got exposed, sparking rumors of them interviewing Hero Han Minguk. Rose Shield staff scrambled from morning to contain it.
Republic Daily was swamped too. Originally a light newbie-reporter chat with PR approval, but the buzz forced veteran reporter and famed anchor An Hye-jeong to step in.
"Long story short, the Leader negotiated: Hero Han Minguk does the interview, but no further attention. Republic Daily agreed."
"I-Is that even possible? Other outlets?"
"They'll handle it. As a veteran raid specialist paper, they control their network tight."
"...Ah."
Minguk nodded blankly at the PR lead's words. While they cleared Illusion Dungeon, the outside world had gone nuts.
Hyun-ah, highest-ranked on the team, joined Minguk for the interview—too serious for all five. Clan Leader Hyun-jung didn't want GGW or Minguk spotlighted yet.
Naturally, Minguk was the star. Just being a male hero drew all eyes. Rose Shield's PR lead sat in to prevent slip-ups.
"Hello, I'm An Hye-jeong from Republic Daily. It's an honor to meet Hero Han Minguk, Korea's 10th male awakener."
"Ah, yeah. Me too."
Minguk bowed awkwardly. First time in the hot seat; the reporter's mic and massive camera felt alien. The real interview kicked off.
"How did your awakening happen?"
"Our info says you were a dealer in Hero Academy, then switched to healer right before the Raid Qualifier. A change of heart?"
"Male heroes fighting darkness monsters directly is rare worldwide. What made you step up?"
Pre-arranged with PR, questions were tame. Minguk answered easily. Midway, the mic swung to silent Hyun-ah.
"Hero Oh Hyun-ah, you're Hero Han Minguk's academy classmate and close friend. You're tanking in Rose Shield's newbie 4th—his team. Praise for your Raid Leader?"
PR lead flinched at the loaded tone, but Hyun-ah spoke first.
"Among Raid Leaders I've seen, he has the best skills."
"Wow! Examples? Compared to whom...?"
An Hye-jeong grinned like she'd struck gold. Scandals fueled buzz. Hyun-ah dove in.
"Raid Leader Park Da-young! I'm her huge fan, but Minguk—no, Hero Han Minguk's leading rivals hers. How great is that? Well..."
"W-Wait!"
PR lead cut in, flashing an X with her hands.
"Eep!"
Hyun-ah clapped her mouth, realizing her gaffe. Minguk's brilliance had her bragging impulsively.
Too late. An Hye-jeong smirked, sensing the scoop.
"As discussed, no comment on Hero Han Minguk's leading. We don't want media frenzy shaking him."
"Sounds like his skills are top-tier. Why hide that?"
PR lead scowled at Hye-jeong's shift from the arrangement.
"Wouldn't the public love hearing about a promising Raid Leader?"
But it'd draw global clans scouting to Korea, and Rose Shield lacked the power to fend them off.
"Can I say something?"
Minguk raised his hand, eyeing Hyun-ah's guilty pout from her slip.