Chapter 55
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: EP.55 The Complexity of Relationships
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"Hey, get rid of these guys."
At that single command, the two men who had been desperately trying to please Jo Suyoung just moments ago were dragged outside, not even properly dressed.
"Tell me everything you know about Han Minguk."
Her secretary bowed politely in response to Jo Suyoung's sticky voice.
"He's the raid leader of Rookie Team 4, Team GGW, who joined the Rose Shield Clan this year. A graduate of Hero Academy's 45th class in Seoul. His grades there weren't particularly great, but it's speculated that his potential exploded after switching to the Healer class."
"Class change? I heard that's not easy..."
Jo Suyoung tilted her head. She wasn't deeply involved in clan operations, but she'd overheard plenty through the grapevine.
"It seems it wasn't suited to his talents from the start. Back when he was a Ranged Dealer, his average contribution was only between C and C+. Now as a Healer, it's just over A."
"How good is that?"
"In domestic rankings alone, he's number one among Healers and in the top five overall for rookies."
Top five. He was number one in the Healer rankings, but the overall ranking of fifth didn't sit entirely well with Suyoung. Noticing her reaction, the secretary quickly added more details.
"When adjusted for the same Gear Score, he's overwhelmingly number one. His Gear Score as raid leader is just on the lower side, which is why his ranking slips a bit. Plus, he's the first rookie raid leader in our country to clear a B-6 dungeon, showing potential to become a world-class raid leader."
"What about the Association rankings?"
"Nothing updated yet, but come next month's refresh, he'll definitely make the rookie rankings."
This all sounded incredibly appealing. A male Hero—not even a female one—achieving this much...
"Estimated potential?"
"9.5 or higher out of 10. We're estimating he's on par with or better than Park Dayoung, who led Rose Shield's golden era. Especially high marks in mental fortitude."
As she listened to the report, Suyoung found herself increasingly drawn to the handsome man on the screen. Not just looks—he had real talent too. Now she understood why Oh Hyun-jung had vouched for him.
"Online, they're saying if he grows steadily, he could surpass Park Dayoung as a raid leader. The impact of the B-6 clear is huge, so he might even hit the world rankings next quarter."
"Hmmm..."
Jo Suyoung let out a long hum. Looked like she'd have an excuse to visit the clan house soon. It had been a while since she'd gone out.
$423,221 - Rose Shield Clan
The spoils from clearing two B-6 dungeons had been settled and deposited: 420,000 dollars. Enough to buy Gear Score 200 items for two slots.
"This is why all Heroes are loaded, huh?"
Minguk muttered, staring at the bank balance. Just three difficulty levels higher than B-9, and the payout was incomparable.
"Not everyone. Rookies clearing B-6 like us? Probably none in Korea, let alone the world. Most rookies run B-9 once or twice a week at best. And don't forget Revival Stone costs."
"Ah..."
Now that he thought about it, yeah. Either way, Minguk planned to upgrade his gear with this money.
Even in the mobile VR game GGW, boss monsters didn't always drop what you wanted. Saving up steadily to custom-buy pieces one by one seemed the fastest way to boost specs.
To tackle difficulty 5—the upper tier of B-6 dungeons—needed at least Gear Score 200. Since B-5 drops started there.
And for the final B-1, you'd aim for 380. Then beat the first 10-man boss there for Gear Score 450 gear before challenging A-rank. That was the standard Hero path.
Minguk planned to follow it. No reason to deviate when the proven route existed. No matter his skill, Hero ranks and gear limits were absolute.
Everyone else seemed eager for upgrades too. When Minguk mentioned shopping with his cut, they all joined without hesitation. Same reason: upgrade weak slots, sell duplicates.
"Whoa, group date vibes?"
"Raid Leader! You're not just hitting the auction house and bailing, right?"
"...How about dinner then?"
"Coffee too! My treat!"
New gear acquired, they killed time with dinner and coffee chatter. With five Heroes, talk naturally turned to the next dungeon.
"Swamp Guardian Kellim? In Void Prison? Hmm..."
Yerin groaned softly at Minguk's words.
Swamp Guardian Kellim. Among rank 4 bosses, infamous for high difficulty. Especially its instant-kill patterns on participating Heroes made raids tricky.
Even top raiders: over 30% lacked a Kellim clear. Fewer teams attempted it than special variants—which dropped orange gear. Hence Void Prison's B-6 rating, despite B-5+ difficulty.
"Of all things..."
"There's an item I want from that Kellim guy."
Minguk cut in. Not charging blindly. Veteran or not, he wasn't stupid enough to skip easy paths.
Kim Sojeong, catching on, nodded.
"The Class Stone? Guardian Knight?"
"Ding ding ding."
A rank 4 boss, yet it dropped an A-rank Class Stone: Guardian Knight. Tank class focused on ally protection.
"Makes sense..."
Many Tanks went Guardian Knight for those shields.
But Kellim's rank-ignoring instant-kill patterns deterred all but seasoned raiders. Most just bought the stone at auction instead.
"Was gonna buy one ahead for later..."
Popular class meant Class Stone (A) - Guardian Knight cost a steep minimum 3.15 million dollars. No choice but to farm it.
▷ Kellim has three basic attack patterns: forward left-right swings, greatsword uppercut, and a random-target neck chop that stuns.
▷ The party's Tank must block swings and uppercuts well. Getting uppercut leads to follow-ups, burdening the Healer. For neck chops, dodge if targeted—Kellim telegraphs it.
▷ Void Buff and Curse: The core. Kellim periodically applies Void Buff to the farthest Hero, then hurls Void Bombs. Recipient must immediately evade the drop zone.
▷ Bombs increase by one each time. Fourth buff? Four bombs.
▷ Void Buff boosts stats and mana for stronger output temporarily. But two+ stacks = instant death. So stay close to Kellim after receiving—especially dodging neck chops.
▷ Key: Down Kellim before the four non-Tanks cycle through buffs once each. Weak DPS? Someone sacrifices to buy time.
"Kellim's patterns are simple. Dodge neck chops, no double buffs, Tank holds aggro solid."
Everyone looked uneasy. Easy to say. If words won raids, humanity would've beaten the darkness already.
"How to judge who's closest or farthest?"
"Just ensure the next target is farthest. I'll call positions if it's close."
With his raid experience, positioning five was trivial. A 20-man group might be tight, but GGW was five-player teams.
"Team training before the dungeon? If so, how?"
"Not hard. Just distance control and quick response to my calls."
DPS output? No worry. If he hadn't seen their combo last dungeon, maybe he'd hesitate on Kellim. But Kim Sojeong, Jung Yerin, and Choi Yuna synced well.
"Then let's train right away."
Oldest Sojeong stood, urgency showing now the target was set.
"Ah, I'll cover the bill."
Minguk rose too, pulling his card as raid leader.
But Sojeong stopped him.
"I'll get it. Your money's my money anyway."
"Huh...?"
Minguk blinked. His money was hers?
"You're the one who lets me earn it. Think of it as your funds I'm holding in my wallet."
"..."
Mind-bending logic, but the three women nodded enthusiastically. Minguk sheepishly pocketed his card.
So much for flexing his raid leader wealth... Not his day.