Chapter 39
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Rival?
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“Yes, go ahead.”
Hye-jeong thrust the microphone toward Minguk as if she’d been waiting for it. Just before the interview began, the information she’d dug up flashed through her mind.
‘Han Minguk’s graduation scores from Seoul Hero Academy were bottom-tier. Nothing particularly special aside from his gender.’
But after graduating from Hero Academy and preparing for the raid exam, he’d suddenly switched from his dealer class to healer. Then he’d joined the ranker clan Rose Shield. On the surface, it was a textbook male Cinderella story.
However, judging from the PR team leader and Oh Hyun-ah’s reactions, it didn’t seem like Rose Shield had recruited Minguk just to be their pretty face. Surprisingly, the clan seemed to have fairly high internal expectations for him.
‘Is his leading ability really that impressive? His Hero Academy scores were too poor for that. It’s not like he suddenly became a different person…’
She couldn’t pinpoint the reason. But Hye-jeong’s sharp reporter instincts were telling her there was something to Han Minguk.
“First off, I’d like to thank Oh Hyun-ah for gilding my face like this. Honestly, isn’t Park Dayoung the legendary raid leader of Rose Shield?”
Minguk took the mic and spoke in a relaxed voice. It was a pleasant baritone that stirred the hearts of women everywhere, as befitting a male hero.
“She is.”
Hye-jeong agreed. Rose Shield’s rise to becoming Korea’s premier clan had been entirely thanks to the hero Park Dayoung. Her leading skills and raid management were top-class, recognized not just in Korea but worldwide.
That’s why, after Park Dayoung’s retirement, Rose Shield couldn’t handle her absence. They kept hitting rock bottom, their rankings plummeting. They were fifth now, but it was all but certain they’d drop to the top ten by year’s end.
“But I just joined the clan, so I think it’s premature to compare me to Raid Leader Park Dayoung. There are so many veteran heroes with outstanding skills, and I’m just a newbie who’s been managing a five-man strike team for barely a week. I haven’t proven anything to anyone yet.”
“You haven’t proven anything? Does that mean you could prove it? Eventually?”
Hye-jeong smiled brightly as she pressed him.
It wasn’t a bad move if he was aiming for a humble image. Looks mattered most, of course, but a kind and gentle vibe was a classic charm point that worked wonders on older women.
“I plan to do my best to show everyone what I can do. That’s why I took on the raid leader role, and why I’m syncing up with my teammates.”
“Oh Hyun-ah said your leading ability is incredible. For the viewers watching this broadcast—or your fellow first-year hero peers—do you have any achievements as a raid leader worth bragging about?”
“Achievements, huh...”
Minguk nodded lightly.
Of course he did. ‘Flame Bridge – Ifrit’ and ‘Ice Queen – Anisa.’ He had one-try clears on those two rank-3 special instances. But mentioning that now...
Out of the corner of his eye, Minguk caught the PR team leader frantically shaking her head.
‘Is it because I’m a male hero? The clan worries about me way too much.’
He could guess the PR team leader’s intent. The moment he revealed that, every media outlet and person in the country would swarm him. Just look at the fallout from Hyun-ah’s casual internet post.
And Rose Shield was wary of that future. They wanted him to avoid the sweet lure of the press and public attention for the sake of his growth.
He got it. Minguk had felt the same regret watching his favorite soccer club’s star prospect crumble under public scrutiny, failing to grow properly.
‘They even hired a tutor to teach him soccer, but all he learned was how to screw around.’
Plus, a certain player from a top Spanish soccer club had soared on media hype and national expectations, only to crash from a combo of style-over-substance, money, and big-breasted girlfriends.
Of course, Minguk was confident he wouldn’t fall for media attention and could grow properly. Still, since he’d signed with the clan and was part of it, he should respect their boundaries.
After some thought, Minguk spoke up.
“I succeeded in a one-try clear on a rank-3 dungeon. Not bad for a rookie raid leader, right?”
“Pardon? What?”
Minguk pulled out his Hero Pad and opened his Hero Compendium for the stunned Hye-jeong.
He shared the record of his one-try dungeon clear. The dungeon was ‘Giant’s Minor Battlefield’—the first one he’d cleared under Rose Shield’s name.
Of course, he didn’t share the two special dungeons. Those were for later. Instead, he revealed his contribution rate: Healer Class A.
Thanks to that, Hye-jeong could only see the Giant’s Minor Battlefield clear.
“......Wow.”
Even so, Hye-jeong blinked in speechless surprise.
A rookie raid leader pulling off a one-try clear wasn’t easy. It required talent, instincts, and exceptional skill—all three in harmony. Plus the charisma to rally the team.
And Minguk seemed to have all that from the start, or so Hye-jeong guessed. What really caught her eye was his Healer Class A contribution.
“Th-that’s impressive.”
Hye-jeong’s voice trembled. The camera zoomed in on Minguk’s Hero Pad. If this aired, it’d cause a huge stir.
The interview dragged on. With Han Minguk proving far more capable than the mere face she’d expected, Hye-jeong peppered both heroes with questions to uncover every detail.
“You only have one clear listed—‘Giant’s Battlefield’—but your achievement points are sky-high. It looks like you’re not showing everything... Care to share?”
“Full Hero Compendium access isn’t possible. Rose Shield doesn’t want our newbies compared to heroes from other clans. Opening it up would just spark endless controversies.”
Whenever a sensitive question arose, the PR team leader jumped in to block it. Minguk had no intention of revealing everything anyway. The interview wrapped up.
“Great work, heroes. The broadcast will air the day after tomorrow after editing.”
“You too, Daehan Daily crew. And Oh Hyun-ah, the guild master wants to see you in her office...”
“Eek...”
The moment the interview ended, Hyun-ah was dragged off to the guild master’s office like a criminal. Apparently, Guild Master Oh Hyun-jung had been monitoring from there. Minguk and the PR team leader followed.
“Oh! Hyun! Ah!!!”
The instant Hyun-ah entered, Hyun-jung’s roar exploded like a lion’s.
“S-sorry, sis!”
“It’s Guild Master in the clan! You already stirred up trouble with that pointless internet post the other day, and now this?!”
“I just...”
Under her guild master and sister’s scolding, Hyun-ah hung her head. It was a mistake, no two ways about it—intent didn’t matter.
Hyun-jung let out a deep sigh before her stricken sister and spoke.
“Do you know how terrifying media attention is? They sweet-talk you, shake your heart, then spit you out once the novelty wears off. They won’t cut newbie heroes any slack. One slip-up, one failed clear, and they’ll rip you to shreds, branding you incompetent—that’s their ‘interest’!”
As Rose Shield’s guild master, Hyun-jung had seen countless prospects derailed by press and public hype. Most never realized their potential, their wings clipped. There was no guarantee Minguk or Hyun-ah wouldn’t follow suit.
“I’m fine. I’ve already dealt with endless media buzz since my Mana Awakening, and I don’t sweat it much.”
Minguk stepped in between them. Hyun-ah wasn’t even in serious trouble, and he felt a bit sorry for her. She was part of his cartel, after all...
He understood the clan’s position.
‘But as long as I do well, what’s the problem?’
No matter what the press or public said, a hero’s real job was smashing shadow monsters. And that was what this veteran in a newbie’s skin did best.
“Raid Leader Han Minguk.”
Hyun-jung’s gaze shifted to him. Minguk shrugged.
“I get the clan’s concerns. But I’m confident I won’t waver under any temptation.”
Style? With this Mana-Awakened body, he didn’t need to chase flash. He looked like a myth-made model.
Money? From humble roots, how much could he even spend? Raids kept him too busy for now. Luxury? Maybe hero gear—but low-grade stuff was useless anyway.
Women? He had Oh Hyun-ah and the cartel girls. A few more might join eventually, but he was content for now.
And in this world, no hero could teach him raids. Not even Delta Force’s top-tier American strike teams impressed him...
“......”
Hyun-jung had to halt her words at Minguk’s firm reply.
He was just a first-year hero. She’d assumed he needed time to grow. Spec-wise, he wasn’t on par with high-difficulty dungeon vets.
‘But mentally...’
Minguk carried himself like a true guardian of humanity. Whatever the future held, as guild master, she had to respect that.
“Understood. Just keep external activities to a minimum outside raids.”
“No plans for anything else anyway. And go easy on Hyun-ah’s mistake. Honestly, I kinda enjoy the attention. Well, just the attention.”
“...Got it.”
Hyun-jung nodded at Minguk’s quip. She sensed his subtle consideration for Hyun-ah—no need to intrude. Hyun-ah looked genuinely touched.
A male raid leader? For real?!
How the hell did Daehan Daily snag this interview?! Looks like Rose Shield was trying to keep him under wraps.
Looks, talent, and he even covers for his teammates’ slip-ups. Heart of gold. To think we had a guy like this in our country... World’s still worth living in.
Keep dreaming—he ain’t yours. He’s mine.
Crazy bitches. You think a guy like that would glance your way? Gotta be a 6-7 star hero just to get a pity poke.
They said it’s Rose Shield’s newbie 4th team. Team name’s GGW.
Is declining Rose Shield finally making a comeback?!
Was Rose Shield still a Seoul ranker clan? Do they have managed dungeons? No skill and they won’t withdraw?
Tons of teams worse than Rose Shield—why withdraw?
Go ask Young-hee about withdrawal, dumbass.
The broadcast aired, and interest in not just Minguk but all of Rose Shield exploded.
“What a shitstorm.”
The clan office turned into a marketplace from nonstop calls. Some were from rival clans—Hyun-jung shut those down cold.