Chapter 59
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Complexity of Relationships
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"Is Chaos and Ppuu bad guys for throwing this kind of quest at me, or am I just cursed with the worst luck...?"
Sure enough, five runs in a row. Including the one where the Void buff pattern got messed up and led to a total wipe, they'd burned through six Revival Stones, but the "Swamp Guardian - Kellim" hadn't coughed up so much as a single Class Stone, let alone a Revival Stone.
In fact, they'd gotten more out of it—two Revival Stones—from the boss-grade monster they had to deal with before even reaching Kellim.
Gear was the same story. A rank-4 boss from 【B – 6】 should drop items with Gear Scores between 170 and 200, but out of the 17 gear items from the "Void Dungeon," only two topped out at the max 【Gear Score – 200】.
And those were slots Team GGW didn't even need—both tank pieces.
"It's living up to the price tag, huh? Class Stones are tough to come by, right?"
Hyun-ah spoke up in a peppy voice, like she'd seen this coming. What a positive kid. Either way, it looked like today's raids were done.
Five runs in a day was plenty profitable, and with that screw-up in the last one, it meant the team's fatigue was spiking. Pushing these greenhorns into endless grinding would just backfire.
Sure, they could ignore all that and keep spinning the wheel. But with Revival Stones costing a hundred grand a pop per wipe, raids needed to be called carefully.
"Alright, that's a wrap on today's schedule. Great work, everyone."
"You too!!!"
They'd cleared the quest four times total. The last attempt didn't count since it wasn't a one-shot clear. To finish the quest, they'd need at least six more clears of the "Void Prison."
"Ran the dungeon a bunch today, huh, Raid Leader Han Minguk? These all going up on the auction house?"
As they hit the Clan House trophy room, a staffer with wine-colored bobbed hair greeted Minguk warmly.
"Yeah. Any idea how long it'll take to sell?"
"Usually three or four days... but these aren't high Gear Score, so they might move faster. The Hero Association's been buying up low-score gear lately too."
"The Association?"
Minguk blinked in surprise. Were they supporting new heroes with Revival Stones and gear now? But no—the details painted a different picture.
It was aid for other countries groaning under the Hordes of Darkness, especially Southeast Asian nations short on hero power.
Domestic hero forces weren't strong enough to send strike teams like the Americans, but they could at least ship gear. Looked like it was at the World Hero Association's request, though—nothing voluntary.
"Southeast Asia's got thirteen A-rank dungeons projected to burst within the next two years alone. The U.S. strike teams are diving in to reset the timers... but with an 【A – 1】 in the mix, I'm not optimistic."
The wine-haired staffer explained with a pretty smile, but Minguk could barely focus. Another quest had popped up out of nowhere. Two in one day.
Save the Southeast Asian Nations Groaning Under the Hordes of Darkness!
The dungeons are seriously tough, so it's impossible right now—but I believe Raid Leader Han Minguk can pull it off. It's no easy task, so Ppuu, created by Chaos himself, has prepped some killer rewards!
📍 Goal: Clear all 【A – 1】 or higher dungeons in Southeast Asian nations! (Three of them!)
⏰ Time Limit: 2 years and 4 months.
🎁 Rewards: 【Class Stone (S) - Legendary】, 500 Revival Stones, 3 Master Tickets.
Raid Leader Han Minguk is still a newbie, so these rewards might not click yet? A Legendary Class Stone is one of only two ever dropped worldwide—super rare.
Master Tickets are a super super super super rare drop from 【A – 1】 clears! They let you score items up to a whopping 【Gear Score – 1000】—the dream ticket.
This won't be easy! Plan long-term, though the deadline's kinda tight? Hurry up and prep! You got this! You can do it!
'Is this thing stalking me?'
It felt like it'd eavesdropped on his chat with the staffer and spat this out. Minguk glanced around—nothing.
"I'll handle sorting these. Should I... contact you directly when they sell, Raid Leader?"
"Nah, no need. I'll check the settlement sheet later. Not in a cash crunch."
"Got it. Have a great day."
Minguk met the eyes of the friendly clan staffer, flashing a smile and a polite nod. Trophies handled—next up, reports.
He wondered why they even bothered with these things, but since they helped newbie heroes, he couldn't skip. Referencing the Hero Codex, he banged out reports for all five raids and headed out for home.
"Raid Leader Han Minguk?"
A woman called his name, beaming with an almost overwhelming smile.
"Uh...?"
The face rang a bell—met recently, here at the Clan House. Rose Group's third-gen heiress, Jo Soo-young's secretary.
"Working late?"
"Raid reports."
"Wow. Most raid leaders dump that on their vice leaders... You handle it yourself?"
Ah, the sweet hack he hadn't thought of... But Team GGW had no one fit for vice. Everyone crushed their roles individually, but no one could read the big picture, make sharp calls, and issue orders.
"What brings the secretary here?"
"Came to see you. Actually, I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
A total stranger dropping "favor" out of the blue? Minguk tilted his head.
"Yes. The team owner shows a lot of interest in you, Raid Leader Han Minguk—the promising star who's the future of the team."
Interest because he's promising? Or because he's a male hero? Hard to say. But he could guess where this was going. And it sounded fun.
"So? Inviting me to dinner?"
"How'd you know?"
The secretary's eyes went wide at his blunt guess—impeccably natural acting. Guess that's how you land chaebol secretary gigs.
"You mentioned it last time. Whatever, I'm game. But doesn't a third-gen chaebol have a packed schedule?"
"Hohoho. Busy or not, if she hears you accepted, she'll drop everything to rush over. That's how into you she is."
Whatever flavor of "into," he wasn't sure. But scoring a free high-end meal from chaebol invite? Sounded solid. No chicken or pork belly here.
The dinner spot was familiar—one he'd hit before with Jung Ye-rin for a hero meetup. Fancy hotel, solid food, killer beds.
"Thanks for the invite."
"My pleasure. Didn't expect to snag time with Raid Leader Han Minguk so soon—lucky me?"
Following the secretary's lead to a mid-floor upscale restaurant, there was Jo Soo-young, already seated. Third-gen or not, she wasn't that swamped.
"I pre-ordered. Great spot—no disappointments."
"Looking forward to it."
True to her word, the courses were top-shelf.
Minguk shoveled it down without fuss—his palate was trash anyway—but even that got wowed. No wonder hotel food cost a fortune.
The only gripe? Portions. But after the full course, even that vanished. Watching him clear plates like a champ, Soo-young sounded surprised.
"You eat like a beast. Most guys are picky..."
"Picky, huh? Ah..."
Locking eyes with Soo-young, Minguk chuckled after a beat. Otherworldly guys might be, but not him. His all-time fave? Cheap-ass pork rice soup.
Solo living, he'd powered through weeks on nothing but that when cooking felt impossible.
"Like I said before, I'm not picky. I'll eat anything."
"Right."
"Yeah. Bit different from other guys."
Minguk grinned. Loaded words. And Jo Soo-young caught the drift easy.
"So you know why I called you here? Right now?"
"Stuffed—perfect for a workout. You sure you're good?"
"...With what?"
Soo-young smirked across the table, dead set on seizing this golden chance. Chaebol heiress or not, her first time bedding a male hero.
"I'm a rough rider."
"Perfect. I like it rough. Who knew we'd match here?"
Minguk stood, offering his arm. Off to her prepped suite.
'Easier than I thought!'
Gripping his arm en route, Soo-young whooped internally.
She'd figured snagging the Clan-joined male hero would take time. All that hype meant sky-high ego, plus hotter female heroes everywhere—she couldn't compete on looks.
Just this year, she'd flashed her R’s owner card at one male hero and got shot down hard. Yet here she was, bagging one so quick...
Her chaebol edge—taunting tone, dismissive gaze—intimidated most guys into folding pre-game. But not Minguk. Polite, sure, but zero intimidation vibes.
'Sex with a guy like this...'
She was already soaking. Last night with three dudes hadn't even scratched the itch.
She'd burned through plenty of men, but Han Minguk? She'd keep this one for a long ride. A male hero fit her image perfectly. But then...
Clunk.
The suite door shut. Minguk flipped a switch. A massive hand slammed down.
Rip!
Her pricey blouse shredded open rough. Buttons flew as Soo-young's eyes bugged out in shock.
"Wha—! Mmph!"
No mercy. Minguk stripped her top in seconds, pinned her to the wall, crushed his lips to hers, and shoved a hand up her skirt.
"?!"
Panties shoved aside, his thick fingers plunged into her sopping core—no resistance. But this raw side, worlds from other men, left Soo-young reeling.
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