Chapter 48
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: EP.48 Not a Newbie Raid Team
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The two gold tickets that Yerin had obtained—no, more precisely, the ones Han Minguk had acquired as a quest reward—yielded a bow with a Gear Score of 210 and a greatsword rated at 230.
"Yesss!!!"
"Whoa, jackpot! How does it always spit out exactly what we need?"
Both weapons were ones the team members could use, making it the perfect score. However, only Yuna, the new owner of the bow, could actually equip it.
"Aaaah..."
Soh-jung's eyes trembled endlessly as she stared at the greatsword. The 【Gear Score – 230】 greatsword required a Rank 3 Hero at minimum. Gear Score 230 was precisely the threshold for Rank 3 equipment. And Soh-jung, the Hero who wielded greatswords, had only just ascended to Rank 2.
"I think it'd be better to just sell this sword at the auction house. We can save up the money until I hit Rank 3, then buy something even better."
Though she said that, she clearly couldn't let go, glancing back at the greatsword with regret several times. To her, a non-Rank 3 Hero, the Gear Score 230 greatsword was nothing more than scrap metal that couldn't channel mana.
"Got it."
In the end, Minguk accepted her suggestion and decided to list the greatsword at the auction house. Two days later, it sold for 290,000 dollars, finding a new owner. It felt a bit underpriced, likely because few Heroes used greatswords.
Minguk then announced that after settling up with the clan, the remaining proceeds from the greatsword would be split equally five ways among the team members.
"Can we really take the whole amount?"
"You did way more of the work, Raid Leader..."
"Nah, it's fine. It's not like I'm short on cash."
Hyun-ah and the others insisted that Minguk, as Raid Leader, should take a larger share. It wasn't unusual—some Raid Leaders took two or three shares during settlements.
But money wasn't a big deal for Minguk. Building goodwill now, in preparation for forming a 10-man raid later, was a far smarter move. Besides, all four women were part of his cartel anyway. He wanted to look out for them.
On top of that, the massive sum from selling the Revival Stones to the clan was about to hit his account. With everything squared away, talk naturally turned to the next raid.
"So, which dungeon are we tackling next, Raid Leader?"
Yerin sidled up close to Minguk as she asked.
Today's outfit was a deep navy robe, perfectly suiting her mage class. It was a bit form-fitting, though, accentuating her figure nicely. It looked custom-made for that purpose. Naturally, it wasn't an item.
Minguk pondered for a moment before scanning the team. Today, he planned to drop something shocking. Or rather, not that shocking. With Team GGW's skills and his leadership, it was entirely feasible.
"I was originally planning to tackle the 【B – 8】 dungeon."
"'Was'?"
Every eye in the meeting room turned to Raid Leader Minguk.
"That's right. But I changed my mind. Our team's average 【Gear Score】 is currently 158. That's enough to challenge not just 【B – 7】, but even 【B – 6】."
The one who'd boosted that average was none other than Hyun-ah. With her Gear Score 200 tank gear, she could theoretically handle up to 【B – 5】.
Soh-jung and Yuna's scores were a bit lower. They'd bought decent pieces for a few slots, but even at this level, Hero gear cost millions to tens of millions per piece.
Unless you were rich, the only way to gear up was through dungeon clears. Or pooling settlement funds to replace weak spots.
"Do we really need to push for 【B – 8】 in this situation?"
"Uh... well, that's true, but... I thought challenging 【B – 6】 usually involves a mix of Rank 2 and Rank 3 Heroes."
That was just for teams of undergeared or under skilled Heroes banding together.
"Raids like that can take over a day sometimes..."
Taking that long meant they weren't clearing efficiently.
But the team looked uneasy at Minguk's words. And for good reason— they'd only cleared 【B – 8】 five days ago. Sure, it was easy, but the fear of the unknown lingered.
One Hero reacted differently, though.
"Whoa...! So we're a newbie raid team taking on 【B – 6】?!"
The youngest at twenty, Yuna, beamed with excitement. With Han Minguk as Raid Leader, what was there to worry about?
"That's the plan for now. It's just more boss monsters. The individual difficulty isn't much different between 【B – 6】 and 【B – 8】."
The numbers did ramp up significantly.
【B – 6】 dungeons typically spawned four to six Rank 4 boss monsters on average. It wasn't a lie that clears could take over a day. Teams often packed sleeping bags and rations.
But Minguk had no intention of spending that long. They were just Rank 4 monsters, after all.
"Yeah, what the hell. Let's give it a shot. I'm tough enough anyway."
Was she fired up by Yuna's attitude? Hyun-ah thumped her chest confidently. With her top-tier gear, she could tank 【B – 6】 fine. And she had confidence in her skills.
With Yuna and Hyun-ah on board, Yerin had no choice but to nod with a sigh.
"I'm in if it's with you, Raid Leader. Higher difficulties are fine by me."
But Yerin had another reason for agreeing.
A newbie raid team tackling 【B – 7】 or 【B – 6】 was virtually unheard of. Clans wouldn't allow it, and success was improbable anyway—no sense wasting pricey Revival Stones.
But if Team GGW succeeded at 【B – 6】?
GGW's name would skyrocket, and she, as the team's dealer, would instantly become a nationally recognized top dealer. Future contracts would reflect that.
And Han Minguk wasn't your average Raid Leader. If he was suggesting this, he had to be confident.
"Ah... guess I can't say no then. We'll figure it out after dying a few times."
With everyone on board, even melee dealer Soh-jung scratched her head a few times before nodding.
And so, Team GGW's high-difficulty raid was set. The target: Black Orc Fortress, the 【B – 6】 dungeon in Seongbuk-gu.
"Hold on. What did you say? You're tackling 【B – 6】?!"
"Yes."
Hyun-jung was stunned by Minguk's words. He'd only formed Team GGW as Rose Shield's newbie fourth squad a month ago.
GGW was made up entirely of raid qualification exam rookies this year. Sure, they had newbie Rankers, but they couldn't compare to second-years or veterans. Raid experience was basically a Hero's skill level.
Yet just days after breezing through 【B – 8】—impressive even for first-years—they were skipping 【B – 7】 for 【B – 6】.
For reference, 【B – 6】 was for second- and third-year Heroes. 【B – 5】, with its Rank 4 special variants, required elite clan roster material.
"Isn't that too soon? You just cleared 【B – 8】 once."
"They're both Rank 4 monsters anyway. Patterns vary by boss, but it's adaptable. And you might not know, but Team GGW has nothing left to gain from 【B – 8】."
"Hmm..."
It was practically the auction house's fault. Fresh Rank 2 Heroes buying full sets of top gear meant 【B – 8】 loot—Gear Score 120—was worthless.
Raid experience was the only intangible gain, but Minguk didn't need that either.
'What should I do?'
Hyun-jung's mind blanked from the shock. She knew GGW had potential—one-shotting a Rank 3 special proved it.
But 【B – 6】? That was third-year Rose Shield territory, with a success rate just over 70%. Standouts there got promoted to second or third string, often becoming Raid Leaders themselves.
"A few failures maybe, but success won't be hard."
As Hyun-jung pondered silently, Minguk added reassuringly. The Raid Leader's call was absolute, but no need to clash with the clan. This wasn't a solo gig.
Moments later, Hyun-jung asked softly.
"If you succeed at this 【B – 6】 raid... can we announce it to the press?"
"The press?"
Minguk eyed her curiously.
This was the same woman who'd gone to extremes to keep Team GGW's identity secret for her promising Heroes' sakes. Hyun-jung continued in a subdued tone.
"You might have guessed, but the clan's in rough shape. Next year's evaluation will drop our ranking, and we'll lose the Ranker Clan title."
He'd sensed the uneasy mood at the clan. He'd blamed the first string's raid failures, but the issue ran deeper.
"How does announcing our team help?"
"You know your leadership sets you apart, right?"
"To some extent."
Minguk nodded. Honestly, Raid Leaders from this world were subpar. Baffling, after decades fighting shadow beasts.
"Clans consider clearing 【B – 8】 sufficient growth for newbies. Experience toward higher raids matters. Rank 4 monsters from 【B – 8】 appear up to 【B – 1】. Theoretically, clearing 【B – 8】 means you can do 【B – 1】."
Pure theory, ignoring gear gaps and specials. But not entirely wrong—attack patterns didn't differ wildly.
"No clan expects first-years to top 【B – 8】. If they can, they're not first-years."
"It's not impossible, though."
"True. But the newbies who've proven it were all world-spotlighted Ranker prospects. And they all became top-tier Heroes."
Hyun-jung's gaze locked on Minguk, intense enough to feel like a challenge: Are you that kind of Hero?
Minguk chuckled and fired back.
"What happens if the clan has a world-spotlighted prospect?"
"Obviously, big points in the evaluation. Ranking drop minimized."
"When's the evaluation?"
"Two months from now."
Plenty of time—overflowing, even. Minguk stood from his chair, addressing the clan leader.
"Ever heard of a total has-been? Or rather, evaporated into steam? That's me."
"P-Pardon? What?"
Hyun-jung couldn't parse it. Either way, Team GGW's 【B – 6】 clear was locked in.