Chapter 75
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Suspicion
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It had been almost a full month since Han Minguk challenged the 【B-5】 difficulty dungeon, Ice Canyon, as part of a bet with Memoria Clan.
During that time, Minguk focused primarily on Ice Canyon while tackling other dungeons as side dishes, specifically choosing 【B-5】 ones with bounty rewards. The reason for sticking to 【B-5】 dungeons was simple: lower difficulties didn't drop orange-grade crystals.
However, with Minguk and his team's specs being razor-thin, they faced total wipes against the Ice Drake multiple times a day if they didn't stay laser-focused.
"O-oh?!"
"It's three stars! Congratulations, Raid Leader!"
But as Minguk kept conquering Ice Canyon and absorbing orange-grade crystals, he raised his hero rank to three stars, turning the Ice Drake into ice cream.
The moment he hit three stars, Minguk broke through his gear's rank limitations and bolted to the auction house to snag a weapon with a high 【Gear Score】. A three-star hero could draw out mana up to a 【Gear Score】 of 349.
The platinum-colored great staff he bought from the auction house cost a whopping 5.3 million dollars—a weapon with a score of 340. But with the steady success bonuses from dungeon clears, he could afford it no problem.
Even with just the weapon upgrade, Minguk could now pump out massive heals to his team without Yuna's mental stimulation, making their Ice Drake kills far more stable and faster than before.
"P-please... spare us..."
"O-oppa, I think I'm gonna die."
"Snap out of it, everyone. What's wrong? We've only run it ten times today. Come on, get up. Just two more runs. Don't you want to hit three stars quick? You gonna stay at two stars forever?"
"Even first-years are successes if they hit two stars..."
Under Minguk's leadership, Team GGW spun like a top through the dungeon multiple times a day, allowing everyone to surpass two stars and reach three-star hero rank. But that was just their ranks— they couldn't afford auction house gear upgrades.
High 【Gear Score】 gear was getting too pricey for individuals. Still, with clan help, they scored a few pieces at top grade for cheap.
It was a modest spec boost, but gear that handled more mana slashed their raid clear times dramatically.
Mid-February marked the release of clan rankings by each nation's Hero Association, unleashing a flood of hero-related articles.
Among them, the one grabbing the most attention was the individual hero rankings. As the saying goes, humans rank even two people as first and second—eyes were glued to the world hero rankings based on the last five years' achievements.
As people waited with bated breath, the most authoritative source worldwide, Evoluution, dropped several articles.
Evoluution - World Hero Prospects Ranking Top 10 (3rd Year and Below)
It's been a decade since the World Hero Association announced the all-out war against the darkness monsters has ended. Yet the war between heroes and darkness monsters rages on, with new heroes emerging each year to bear the sacred duty of protecting humanity, blessed by mana awakening.
[Omitted]
So Evoluution has selected the TOP 10 prospects among heroes three years or younger—those honing their skills in their clans, poised to become stellar heroes.
1. Camilla Bell
The world's top talent, doted on by America's strongest clan, the White House—humanity's last bastion. Despite being only second-year, she's reached five stars and holds a clear record on the 【A】 difficulty dungeon, untouchable by average talents.
White House Raid Leader Rabia McQueen praised Camilla Bell's dealing as on a level beyond ordinary dealers.
2. Zhou Qin
China's rising star and Tencent Clan's prospect—a third-year tank who cleared a 【B-1】 dungeon. He's cemented his spot as main tank in Tencent's third legion, steadily toppling five-grade monsters to hone his skills.
His impressive shieldwork and rock-solid defense shine even in raids with veteran heroes.
[Omitted]
10. Han Minguk
The sensational first-year hero heating up South Korea. A male hero, no less.
Originally a ranged dealer, he switched to healer—a unique path. Just two months after earning his raid qualification, he led an all-first-year rookie raid to clear a 【B-5】 dungeon.
For context, legendary Raid Leader Aria Winter's first-year record was also 【B-5】, but she included second-years and below. Han Minguk cleared it with fresh rookies whose cert ink hadn't dried.
As a first-year with much to prove, his name on the world hero annals after two months has everyone eager for his growth.
If that's true, the war with darkness monsters is already over, right? Clearing 【B-5】 just two months after cert? In five years, they'll be doing 【A-1】. LOL.
Honestly doesn't add up. Must've had help from other heroes. Overhyped. Probably boosted 'cause he's a guy.
Camilla! Camilla! Camilla! Camilla!
Garbage article. Never thought Evoluution would publish crap like this.
He's cool, so I approve. Think Evoluution published without checking?
South Korea's hero power is ranked 20th. 20th.
Working Girl type who'd spread legs for any guy.
Shouldn't girls give it up if a guy wants? XD
"Han Minguk? Who's that?"
"Some first-year from South Korea? But even as Raid Leader, clearing 【B-5】 isn't that impressive, right?"
"Read closely. He cleared it with an all-first-year party."
Spots 1 through 9 were names anyone might recognize. Camilla Bell was a familiar face from ads.
But a rookie from a tiny far-east nation like South Korea—weak in hero power—making the world prospects list? Many doubted it. Some said he got in just for being male.
That was casual talk among civilians. The global hero community was in uproar—clearing 【B-5】 with all first-years was impossible.
Plus, first-years were fresh off the raid qual exam two months ago.
Foreign heroes eyed this year's Evoluution article skeptically, especially since a male hero entering the rankings was a first.
Japan, South Korea's eternal rival, reacted fiercely. Their super-prospect Shiranui ranked 19th worldwide, yet a first-year from inferior South Korea outranked her.
Japanese heroes flooded Evoluution with protest emails. The news reached Minguk, sipping tea in the clan leader's office.
"Hard to believe he made a ranking like this just two months after raid cert."
Minguk commented on the Evoluution prospects article. He wondered when they took his side-profile photo—clearly in front of the clan house.
"It shows how insanely people obsess over heroes, humanity's guardians."
"Makes sense if that's why. But what's this about Japan objecting?"
"Exactly that. They claim Rose Shield faked records to boost Han Minguk onto the world prospects. Seems they're conscious of us, close yet distant neighbors."
Leader Oh Hyun-jung's words made Minguk clear his throat lightly. Japan was Japan, here or in his old world. But it puzzled him.
It was just some article from Evoluution. Authoritative, sure, but like Times ranking billionaires for fun. Weird to be summoned to the leader's office over it.
"Can't we just laugh it off?"
Minguk brushed it off, but Hyun-jung looked troubled.
"No. World Hero Association reps are coming soon. We've already been contacted."
"...Raid record investigation or something?"
"Yes. They'll observe a raid with GGW. Apparently, past monitoring with association staff made them doubt Raid Leader Han's feats. Plus Japan's noise."
"Ha! Do we have to accept that?"
Amateurs who sucked at raids judging him? His pride stung.
Hyun-jung had anticipated hurting his pride, so she'd negotiated with World Hero Association, Japan, and Evoluution.
"Raid Leader Han. May I explain more?"
"Sure."
"World Hero Association staff, plus Japanese association reps, Evoluution, and Korea Daily folks want to observe. If you accept, World and Japan associations offer 150 Revival Stones each, media 60 each. All 210 go to you and GGW."
'Huh?'
210 Revival Stones, all for GGW—just show four people clearing a dungeon. On second thought, sweet deal. They were short from endless grinding.
After a moment's thought, Minguk cautiously asked Hyun-jung,
"You said World Hero Association's sending people? Do they have spare hero gear?"
"Pardon? Well... probably. Heard they lend to capable heroes for a fee. Need gear? Was the last not enough?"
"Yeah, heroes equip eight pieces. Higher dungeons need minimum specs."
Since it was happening anyway, Minguk wanted gear support too.
Good gear meant no farming waste. 【B-5】, 【B-4】, even 【B-2】 all spawned four-grade specials.
Bosses were tougher, but patterns similar.
With full three-star sets, Minguk figured they could handle up to 【B-2】.
"Got it. I'll ask the association. They'll likely lend for a fee. Clan'll cover it if they agree."
'Yes!'
Minguk fist-pumped at Hyun-jung's words. He almost thanked Japan for the controversy. Time to shine.