Chapter 81
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: EP.81 Fallen Hero
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Rose Shield Clan's new recruit Team 4 and the news of GGW elicited wildly varied reactions from heroes around the world.
Even after the official announcement from the World Heroes Association, some muttered that they couldn't believe it—mostly Japanese heroes—while others shouted that humanity had finally seized the initiative against the darkness monsters.
Quite a few heroes quickly pulled out their phones or Hero Pads. They all wanted to contact Rose Shield Clan directly to verify the facts. But there were also a great many with different intentions.
According to the World Heroes Association's announcement, Han Minguk was a first-year hero. And GGW was still just a five-person raid team.
"Yes, yes... The article contains not a shred of falsehood."
"Yes, that's correct. We've confirmed that GGW Raid Leader Han Minguk has successfully conquered the boss-grade monster Collibor in the recent 【B-2】 dungeon 'Night Citadel'."
"We're not currently recruiting new heroes for the clan... What?! A 7-star hero? T-Team Leader, what do I even say to that?!"
"What do you mean what?! Just say you'll contact the Clan Leader and get their contact info first!"
"GGW raid team's T.O. is currently full. What? The clan doesn't have that authority. The team members are personally selected by Raid Leader Han Minguk..."
Thanks to this, Rose Shield Clan's office was overwhelmed handling the endless flood of calls. Their core operations had long ground to a halt.
Among them were high-star heroes openly expressing their desire to join Rose Shield Clan—mostly from Southeast Asia and South America. They were the ones betting their futures on GGW amid their own countries' uncertain prospects.
But it wasn't just outsiders showing interest.
"Team Leader Lee. You know that new recruit Team 4, right?"
"The raid team members are all managed by Raid Leader Han Minguk. The Clan Leader too—we have no authority whatsoever."
"You could at least make a recommendation, couldn't you? I've been wearing the Rose Emblem in the second string for over nine years..."
Veteran heroes from Rose Shield's second and third strings were openly voicing their desire to join the GGW team under Minguk's command to the clan staff.
Even first-string heroes, despite the stark gap in stars and difficulty ratings, were showing subtle interest.
"Interest in Team GGW is immense. Major corporations' sponsorship proposals are pouring in nonstop. Same with interview and TV appearance requests."
"No broadcast appearances without direct word from Hero Han Minguk. Hold off on sponsorships for now too. Our funds are tight—let's jack up the price a bit. Something else is about to drop soon, right?"
Team GGW had geared up with items loaned from the World Heroes Association and dove into conquering the 【B-2】 difficulty dungeon 'Night Citadel'. Recent reports indicated they'd taken down four out of the six special individuals in Night Citadel.
"Understood. I'll convey our polite refusals to the other companies without ruffling feathers."
Oh Hyun-jung nodded firmly at her secretary's words. Her heart swelled with emotion at the current situation.
How long had it been since people last called out Rose Shield Clan's name like this? It reminded her of long ago, when the clan’s legendary raid leader Park Dayoung achieved Korea's first 【A-1】 dungeon clear—the reaction back then had probably been like this.
But the heroes' interest now was incomparably hotter. Most of it centered on expanding GGW raid team's T.O.
"Heard anything from Raid Leader Han Minguk?"
"No. As you know, I don't interact much with Hero Han Minguk. What about you, Clan Leader? Don't you have that reliable little sister who has all of Raid Leader Han Minguk's trust?"
"...She's a total airhead too. I subtly asked, but she seemed clueless. Said he's completely focused on conquering Night Citadel right now."
【B-2】 dungeons could still be cleared by five heroes. Of course, if they had the skills, even fewer could manage it—though that almost never happened.
But from 【B-1】 onward, 5-star monsters appeared. Powerful beasts up to dozens of meters in size, depending on the individual. That was why many veteran heroes called 5-star monsters the true darkness monsters.
And unlike lower-grade monsters, 5-star ones required a total of ten heroes' mana to deal damage. In simple terms, it took a full ten-person team.
Moreover, the conquest difficulty spiked dramatically compared to lower difficulties, which were like tutorials. Even Rose Shield's third string was struggling with 【B-1】.
"He might ask about expanding the raid team soon..."
Once GGW successfully cleared 【B-2】 and moved on to 【B-1】 dungeons, they'd absolutely need to recruit more members—five more, no less.
"One dealer spot's already filled anyway."
Thinking of familiar faces in the clan, Hyun-jung pictured Shin Nayoung, the super-prodigy active in the second string.
Right after transferring from Memoria Clan, she'd strongly voiced her desire to join GGW. But after talking with Han Minguk, she was now dutifully active in the clan's second string.
There had clearly been some deal, and it wasn't hard to guess what.
'Shin Nayoung's a top-tier prospect even in Korea anyway...'
If she joined GGW and grew even more, it would be ideal for the clan. Plus, wasn't the raid team's dealer line their pointed weakness? But the other spots were the issue. Expansion would leave sub-tank, two healers, and one dealer open.
"Got anyone we can push? Someone who'd catch Hero Han Minguk's eye."
"Not really... No heroes I can recommend. As you know, the caliber of heroes joining our clan these past few years has been obvious."
"Oof."
Hyun-jung bowed her head at her secretary's piercing words. But she didn't want to recommend some weirdo and sour Raid Leader Han Minguk's mood.
"It'd be great if there was someone in our clan he'd like..."
Ultimately, all decisions rested with Raid Leader Han Minguk. But honestly, as clan leader, Hyun-jung wished he'd build the raid team solely from Rose Shield heroes without outside hires. The clan just didn't have the prospects for it.
The rookies recruited alongside Han Minguk were still stuck below 【B-9】. One team had cleared 【B-8】, but with GGW's insane feats? It barely registered.
Took down 'Incubus - Raham'.
Hero Compendium count has been updated.
"Got it..."
As the Hero Compendium message updated, Hyun-ah collapsed into her seat, her arms trembling like someone with the shakes. Minguk's head throbbed from all the yelling and leading during the fight.
True to its reputation as the mid-boss that gave Night Citadel conquerors hell with its immense mana and tricky patterns, Team GGW had wiped seven times before finally defeating 'Incubus - Raham'.
But compared to other raid teams, that was lightning fast. Yuna, who had died mid-fight, then revived in a burst of radiant light.
"Whew. We'll take down Succubus Queen - Lodia next time. Let's call it here for today."
Minguk said, looking at his team. The sun was high, so plenty of time remained.
But after days of grueling marches, their focus was crumbling right from the raid's start. Yuna's death in the last fight had been a lapse in concentration.
'Better to rest than force it.'
They'd cleared Incubus - Raham anyway, leaving only the final boss, Succubus Queen - Lodia, in Night Citadel. Delaying a few days wouldn't change much. They'd have to farm Item and Mana Crystals here repeatedly regardless.
Recharging with rest before resuming would help the team more. As the saying goes: 'Work hard, play hard.'
"For real? Yay!"
"Ugh... Thank goodness."
Everyone's eyes lit up at the unexpected announcement. They'd been mentally and physically drained from the nonstop Night Citadel pushes.
Most heroes cleared one or two dungeons a week at most. Higher difficulties with multiple bosses saw even fewer.
For instance, even experienced teams took about a week to fully clear an 【A-5】 dungeon.
Only during all-out wars with darkness monsters or tight dungeon timers did they push like mad. Otherwise, they took it slow and safe, toppling bosses methodically. Countries with laid-back cultures progressed even slower.
But GGW under Raid Leader Minguk pulled nonstop marathons—even on first-time dungeons like Night Citadel, battling bosses for 6 to 9 hours straight.
It skyrocketed their experience and skills, but exhaustion was exhaustion. Even accounting for Korean 'ppalli-ppalli', Minguk tore through dungeons like the world would end if he didn't.
The moment "rest" was uttered, these near-collapse wrecks casually checked their gear. Minguk smirked watching them. "Quitting time" truly was a miracle word that revived the dying.
'Now for me...'
Minguk glanced around at his team. With rare free time, nothing particular came to mind. Just crash at home watching raid strategy videos.
There were interview and TV requests, but he had zero interest right now. Curiosity about this world's celebrities existed, but his teammates were all idol-level beauties already.
Eavesdropping a bit, So-jeong planned to spend time with her daughter. Yuna and Hyun-ah were heading shopping at the department store. And Ye-rin...
"Yeah, yeah. Raid's done, heading home now. Sure, okay. Wanna ride today? Wow! How many days has it been?"
She was meeting friends.
Hitomi Clan’s second string from Japan is scheduled to visit Korea tomorrow via flight. The entry list for Hitomi Clan—currently Japan’s No. 2 ranked—includessuper-prodigy Shiranui Mai...
"Huh? Oh! Over here!"
Eun-byeol shot her hand up as her friend entered the cafe. Spotting her, Ye-rin scurried over like a squirrel and plopped down.
"Whoa! This is how busy hotshot heroes get? Seriously hard to even see your face."
"Don't even. I only got lucky with time today."
Ye-rin shook her head. No war had broken out, but her recent days had been raid-sleep-repeat.
"Jealous much?"
"You're conquering 【B-2】, right? Way better than us stuck on 【B-8】 or 【B-9】."
But to her friends, Ye-rin's words just sounded like envious griping.
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