Chapter 79
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Suspicion
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‘The top prospect in yesterday’s rankings, Shiranu Mai, only managed to clear 【B-6】 after entering her second year. And yet a rookie Korean hero has cleared 【B-5】?’
On top of that, as a rookie from this year, he’d only had his raid qualification for two months—a total newbie among newbies.
You had to pad achievements a little to make them believable, but this was clearly fabricated. Sakashita Miki was convinced of it.
Watching the group, Ilene smiled in amusement. It seemed the fierce rivalry between their two nations kicked in even in front of darkness monsters.
“Well then, shall we go meet the man of the hour?”
She was already thrilled to see what this situation would bring.
But waiting for them was only Rose Shield’s clan leader, Oh Hyun-jung. Han Minguk and the rest of Team GGW were in the middle of tackling a dungeon.
“Oh dear. I was hoping to surprise you, but the timing’s off.”
Ilene slowly sipped the tea handed over by the leader’s secretary, turning her head to survey the leader’s office.
As if proclaiming past glories, the room was filled with trophies earned from battles against darkness monsters.
Among them was a plaque from the World Hero Association for Korea’s first successful 【A-1】 clear. Spotting it, Ilene’s eyes sparkled.
“Oh! So this is Cha Boom… no, Park Dayoung’s clan?”
It was something she already knew. But hearing it and seeing it were worlds apart. Especially that plaque from the World Hero Association—each country only had one.
“Yes. She was the clan’s legendary raid leader.”
“And Leader, were you too?”
Ilene’s eyes twinkled at the subtle nuance in Hyun-jung’s words. Catching the meaning, Hyun-jung nodded.
“I was the sub-tank in the raid. I was right there in that spot.”
Oh Hyun-jung’s gaze grew distant as she looked at the trophy. That raid where they earned it had been her last.
Park Dayoung, Korea’s first to successfully clear an 【A-1】 dungeon, retired soon after due to age. With him went many heroes from Rose Shield.
The reasons varied. Age, wanting time with family, severe injuries or trauma. Some couldn’t continue hero work due to corrupted mana.
The legendary raid leader’s retirement ultimately caused half of Rose Shield’s first-string members to leave. The Hero Association and government tried to stop them, but it was no use. Some even left for foreign countries because the government hounded them too much.
Hyun-jung retired then too. She’d planned to travel and kill time, but Jo Eun-young’s plea to protect Rose Shield shook her. To preserve those precious memories with her teammates, she took the clan leader role.
“Wow! Now I see—you’re incredible.”
Ilene exclaimed sincerely. Even Sakashita Miki from the Japanese Hero Association looked on with respect.
Successfully clearing an 【A-1】 dungeon was akin to reaching the pinnacle of heroism—an achievement worthy of heroes’ admiration.
But that was that, and this was this.
“Team GGW’s raid leader, Hero Han Minguk, is tackling a dungeon right now, I assume.”
“Ah, yes.”
Ilene made a troubled face at Sakashita Miki cutting straight to the point. She’d planned to loosen the mood first. National sentiments were scary like that.
Ilene’s gaze turned to the retired senior hero.
“You must know why we’re here. We even sent an official letter.”
“Of course. To verify the recent controversial achievements of Raid Leader Han Minguk?”
“Yes. And along with that, to investigate any corruption between the Korean Hero Association and Rose Shield clan.”
“Corruption?”
Hyun-jung flinched at Ilene’s words. She couldn’t fathom why that term came from Ilene’s mouth.
But as Rose Shield’s leader who’d weathered every storm, Hyun-jung quickly grasped the situation and spoke cautiously.
“You think false reports on Hero Han Minguk influenced the rankings.”
“Yes. We believe it’s unnecessary suspicion, of course, but plenty of people are casting doubtful glances.”
Hyun-jung nodded deeply at Ilene’s frank words. Otherwise, the Japanese Hero Association wouldn’t have sent anyone. After a moment’s thought, she addressed the women before her.
“Team GGW is currently tackling a dungeon. Their first attempt on it today.”
“The 【B-5】 dungeon?”
Sakashita Miki asked reflexively. Hyun-jung smirked at the obvious intent.
“We’ll save that for later fun. How about you join us? I’ll guide you.”
“Meat chunks! Yuna!”
With Minguk’s shout, rotten meat chunks splattered onto the battlefield. Each one looked to weigh over a hundred kilos, but the heroes—including Minguk—had to avoid them carefully, lest they get hit by mistake. One even smacked Collibor in the side as it fell.
“Check the closest ones first!”
“Yes!!!”
Yuna, ready at Minguk’s command, dashed to a meat chunk and sniffed it. The rotten food stench made her want to gag, but it was tolerable. She dumped food waste often enough.
“Not this one!”
Shouting that, Yuna quickly moved to another chunk. Before starving Collibor devoured it, she had to find the poisoned meat and lure the beast to it.
Catching on, Hyun-ah blocked Collibor’s attacks while slowly shifting toward where Yuna ran.
“This one! This!!!”
Luckily, the second chunk was poisoned. Hyun-ah swiftly lured Collibor there.
“Get closer! Make sure it eats the poisoned meat!”
Minguk kept issuing orders. Even finding poisoned meat meant nothing if Collibor didn’t eat it—they’d sacrifice a dealer’s DPS for nothing.
Still, Minguk tracked the time. Factoring Yuna’s search time, from the third wave of seven chunks, they’d need some luck. Nine was out of the question.
‘Should I equip her with a movement skill?’
The thought crossed his mind, but it’d gut Yuna’s damage. Two versus three attack skills made a huge difference. Plus, Collibor was a 10-minute time-attack boss.
Sorry, but Yuna had to find poisoned chunks faster. Soon, with rustling sounds, Collibor started eating a nearby chunk.
As if signaling poison, greenish tint spread through its yellow fur. The poison debuff appeared on Collibor’s status. Minguk approached Yuna, who was firing arrows.
“Good job. Very well done. But we need you finding poisoned meat quicker.”
“To prepare for more chunks incoming?”
“Yeah. I’ll try, but…”
Honestly, he doubted himself. He could stomach the foul smell, but not the nose-stinging “something” Yuna mentioned. He’d tried on a nearby chunk earlier—nothing.
“Got it. I’ll move faster.”
“Don’t rush blindly and get smashed by Collibor like an idiot.”
“Yes! I’ll be careful.”
Maybe because she had a key raid role, but Yuna brimmed with more enthusiasm than usual.
“Watch the breath!”
Having eaten, Collibor belched a frontal breath attack. Poisoned meat made it a toxic breath.
Unlike plain meat, the poison damaged rear team members, startling Minguk into using recovery. The difference was clear.
Dealers poured mana nonstop since Collibor started eating. Kim So-jung’s glowing red greatsword and Jung Ye-rin’s icy spear relentlessly struck the beast.
“It’s different, alright.”
Debuff effects? The boss’s HP drained faster than the last try. More stacks would mean way more damage.
Collibor had massive HP but weak attacks. Even with lower specs, Hyun-ah’s tanking and Minguk’s heals could hold.
“Meat chunks!”
“Here! This one!!!”
The dealers’ lacking DPS was gradually covered by the rotten meat debuff.
Each wave, Yuna’s eyes blazed as she searched, Hyun-ah trailed to lure Collibor to poisoned chunks instantly.
Against worries, Yuna nailed the third and fourth chunks swiftly. He fretted her nose might numb from the stench, but she said it was fine.
At this point, Minguk grew curious about “Yuna’s mom’s” fearsome cooking skills.
Meanwhile, the team buzzed with excitement. First boss, but they saw the clear path for 【B-2】’s Collibor. After the fourth poisoned chunk, the big yellow beast had about 6% HP left.
“Just feed it poisoned meat, and it’s easy. Let’s finish it.”
Minguk said calmly, healing breath-damaged teammates.
Kruk. Krurruk. Krrruuuk.
Kim So-jung’s greatsword delivered the final blow. Achievements popped on everyone’s Hero Pads: defeated 【B-2】’s Collibor. A loot chest appeared next.
It gleamed so brightly, it looked golden at a glance—a bronze chest.
“This chest goes to…”
Minguk’s eyes turned to Yuna. Without her, this Collibor clear was impossible. With team specs low overall, her poison-sniffing nose was the core strat.
“Wooow?!”
Yuna, barely containing cheers at Minguk’s proud look, checked the loot and burst out.
Like it was her birthday? Super low-drop golden fangs—and a greatsword. Spotting the huge sword, So-jung beamed.
A whopping 【Gear Score】 370 item—50 higher than her current sword. Beside it: orange crystal and revival stone.
“Whoa… Is this 【B-2】’s majesty?”
Hyun-ah stuck out her tongue at the flawless gem lineup. Minguk clapped.
“Alright! Golden fangs from the start—let’s aim for two today!”
Dealers’ BiS item, golden fangs were must-haves for ‘Night Citadel’. Having cleared Collibor, Minguk and team grabbed loot and exited. No plans for the next boss.
But Minguk couldn’t push on immediately. Outside waited clan leader Hyun-jung and unknowns staring in shock.