Chapter 67
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Strange Bet
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"How about both raid teams set off at the same time since I've got a Time Distortion item ready?"
As all the key players gathered, the Memoria Clan leader pulled out an item that looked just like an hourglass and spoke up.
Time Distortion. A special item that let multiple raid teams enter the same dungeon entrance simultaneously. It dropped from [A]-rank dungeons and was mainly used when several teams rushed to clear a dungeon on the verge of exploding.
Oh Hyun-jung nodded in agreement.
"Understood. The first team to clear and exit wins."
"Yes, it's straightforward, intuitive, and leaves no room for objections. Hehe."
"Hehe."
The two women locked eyes and laughed in unison. But the air between them was thick with menace.
The losing clan here wouldn't just suffer humiliation—they might lose their core members entirely. To make matters worse, the clans' parent companies and sponsors were rival conglomerates, none other than Korea's number one and two in the business world.
"You ready? We have to win, no matter what. Especially you, Hyun-ah—don't make a single mistake."
"Huh? Haha."
Hyun-ah let out an awkward laugh at her sister's words. She'd been sensing the atmosphere shift dramatically just moments ago. If they lost, her hero career might end right here. She could be forced out of Rose Shield Clan, maybe even relegated to a mid-tier—or worse, a small-time—clan.
The others stiffened as reality sank in. Naturally, Hyun-ah's gaze drifted toward Minguk.
"...That guy's got nerves of steel. No wonder he proposed this bet to the senior."
In stark contrast, Han Minguk—Team GGW's raid leader, the center of this controversy, and the one facing off against Korea's top dealer lineup led by Memoria's second-string raid leader—was whistling away while checking his Hero Pad. He was just a first-year hero.
Both clans' teams entered the dungeon at the same time. Confirming this, the two leaders immediately began monitoring from their stations.
The early stages went smoothly. Memoria's team was a given. Composed entirely of aces, they swept through enemies with tank and dealer lines taking initiative even before their raid leader could call out commands.
Rose Shield's rookie Team GGW wasn't far behind. Slower than Memoria's squad, but they steadily pushed forward, dispatching the monsters from the [B-5] dungeon. Considering they were all newbies, their composure was praiseworthy.
Then came the first boss monster raid.
"Choi Yuna, to the left!"
"Prepare for AoE pattern! Hyun-ah, survival skill now!"
Minguk's precise leading meshed seamlessly with Team GGW's trust in him. It was hard to believe they'd only formed a little over a month ago—their synergy was that tight.
Even as a team of rookie heroes, they handled the rank-4 boss from [B-5] without breaking a sweat.
"Not bad, huh?"
Even Memoria's clan leader, monitoring the opposition, couldn't help but let out an impressed gasp.
These rookies outshone their own first-years by miles, despite the latter's higher pre-debut rankings. And Minguk's leadership was exceptional too.
Despite Team GGW's surprising performance, Memoria's leader had no doubts about victory. By the time Rose Shield's GGW downed the first boss, Memoria was already tackling the second.
"That's the dealer experience gap for you."
Their tank was the second-string main tank, plenty familiar with 'Ice Canyon's' strategies.
While Memoria exuded confidence, Hyun-jung stared at the monitor with a grim expression. Even this early, the gap was widening. The dealers' skill disparity was clear.
"Hero records from the first raid?"
"Just shared now."
Her secretary handed over a multi-page report on the first boss fights in 'Ice Canyon'.
As expected, Memoria's dealers both hit A+ and A contributions, while GGW's managed B+ and B. Same gear scores, yet this difference screamed experience.
Tanks both at B+. Maybe Hyun-ah's higher-than-expected contribution? A smile tugged at Hyun-jung's lips—proof of her sister's talent.
And the healers...
"Huh? This real?"
"Yes, as you know, Hero Pad logs don't lie. No one's tampering with them."
Kim Sung-chul's contribution: B-. Average. With teammates shining, a healer's dip was understandable. But Han Minguk's was A+, matching Memoria's star Kang Chae-young.
'What the hell is this guy? And that damage output...?'
Hyun-jung had watched GGW's raid from start to finish. Solid under precise leading, minor crises handled by Minguk's talented stabilization.
Yet somehow, while healing, he'd slipped in boss damage—30% of third-string dealer Choi Yuna's total. Impressive for a healer.
Hyun-jung turned to her secretary.
"Check Han Minguk's equipped skill stones."
"Ah? Yes, right away."
The flustered aide queried via Hero Pad and reported back.
Sure enough, of his three slots, Minguk had one attack skill: a B-rank that converted a portion of his damage into heals for the lowest-HP ally. 'Vampire's Touch'.
Memoria caught on soon after, reviewing the same logs.
"Impressive."
Their leader smacked their lips, rewatching Minguk's footage with the raid data.
He hadn't spammed 'Vampire's Touch' carelessly. He'd gauged his dealers' prowess, pouring mana into damage during safe patterns to preserve it.
This was beyond promising rookie territory—a finished hero. Even more astonishing: maintaining party HP with just two skills. Judgment under pressure, top-tier.
All while leading.
"Should've asked for Han Minguk instead of Choi Sun-kyung or Kim Soo-ah?"
How many 'geniuses' hyped by media vanished quietly over decades? The leader had pegged Minguk as just another prospect.
Even if talented now, high-end raids were brutal. But with gear and growth, he'd shine there too. No wonder Rose Shield babied their golden boy.
And the second boss raid began.
"Everyone but tank to the left. Hyun-ah, opposite side."
"Watch the swing! Turn your head! Kim So-jung, fall back!!! Re-enter on heal!"
Under Minguk's command, Team GGW took down the second boss cleanly. A close call, but zero deaths thanks to spot-on calls. Memoria matched them.
In the third, Memoria—with Kim Sung-chul—cleared effortlessly.
But GGW lost Choi Yuna to a mistake, shattering her Revival Stone. They downed the boss anyway, but regrouping and resetting cost precious time.
"Hmm..."
The gap grew. By the time Memoria reached Ice Canyon's final boss, Ice Drake, Minguk's team faced the fifth boss. One boss apart.
Rose Shield's monitoring room fell deathly silent. Memoria, meanwhile, brimmed with victory certainty—even praising Minguk's squad for a valiant loss.
Then disaster struck.
KWAOOOOO!!!
With a roar, the heroes on the field were dragged right to Ice Drake's maw. Ice Capture skill. Having reeled in its prey, the drake began channeling mana, intent on freezing the armed foes in a brutal blizzard and snuffing them out.
"Everyone dodge! Scatter outward!"
Memoria's second-string raid leader, familiar with the pattern, barked orders and checked the Hero Pad. Party HP fluctuated wildly.
The drake's passive, Bitter Blizzard, kept draining HP, but the healer was too busy fleeing to manage.
"Kim Sung-chul! Manage HP!!!"
"Y-yes!"
With dealers at death's door, the raid leader bellowed at Sung-chul. Checking his pad, Sung-chul widened his eyes and formed hand seals toward the lowest-HP dealer. That's when it hit.
KWAAAAA!!!
A circular ring exploded 30 meters around Ice Drake, mana surging violently. Too much for anyone but a tank. The issue: Sung-chul was in Bitter Blizzard's range to heal.
"Gaaahhhh!"
The healer vaporized with a scream. Spotting the loss, the raid leader called total wipe.
Pff! Pff!
Dealers plunged weapons into their chests without hesitation. Memoria's team wiped to Ice Drake for the first time.
Revival Stones whisked them back. Veterans, they jumped into feedback.
"Healer's burden is higher than expected."
The second-string raid leader addressed Kang Chae-young, who nodded.
"Gear issue? HP drain feels brutal. Instant heals impossible?"
"Probably... tough."
Healer skill played a part, but Gear Score mattered. Even bursting heals drained mana too fast for full-raid sustain.
Seasoned pros pinpointed it easily and shook heads.
"No choice. Prioritize evasion when mana allows. DPS drop, but survival first."
"Sorry, but counting on you."
The Ice Drake raid resumed, survival-focused. They overcame Ice Capture smoothly and pressed attack. But...
"Raid leader! M-mana's dry!"
"What?!"
The agitated leader turned to Sung-chul. Ice Drake at 40% HP. No mana left for heals. Predictable result.
KWAAAAA!!!
Tank falls!
"Aaaah!"
The tank blocking the foreclaw died. Memoria's 6-star tank held long, but unhealed damage doomed him.
Aggro lost, Ice Drake chomped a first-string dealer—Korea rank 9, 8-star. No way a dealer tanks boss fangs.
Crunch!
Horror sounds, dealer dead. Memoria wiped twice in a row to Ice Drake.
Meanwhile, Minguk's GGW cleared the fifth boss and reached Ice Drake.
Even starting line now. Coincidentally, Jo Soo-young and Kim Tae-yeon arrived at Ice Canyon too.