Chapter 90
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Siberia's Bear Tank
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“You’re here?”
Oh Hyun-jung, the leader of Rose Shield, gazed at Han Minguk with a weary expression. From the Shiranui Mai incident to the expansion of the newbie raid team GGW, and even the recruitment and departures of the 1st Army members—it was all eating away at her.
She never could have imagined being this swamped at the start of the year... Still, it beat the idle days of lounging around. All of this was proof that R’s was getting back on track. As Minguk settled onto the sofa, Hyun-jung spoke up with a hint of excitement in her voice.
“You know how crazy the heroes are going over GGW lately, right? We’re getting inquiries from all over the world about team expansions.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard a bit about it.”
There was no way he hadn’t. Step onto the internet these days, and it was all GGW talk.
“Exactly. Which brings me to something I wanted to ask. Any plans to swap out your current team members?”
“Huh? No?”
Minguk shrugged at Hyun-jung’s unexpected question. They hadn’t been together long, but these were the teammates who’d stuck with him from the 【B-9】 difficulty dungeon all the way to now.
Unless there were issues with their personalities or skills, he had every intention of keeping the current crew.
Hyun-jung let out a quiet sigh of relief at his response. Han Minguk’s raid-leading skills were impressive, but the GGW members—first-year rookies who’d cleared a 【B-2】 dungeon—were drawing interest from plenty of clans too.
Experience in high-level raids was priceless, beyond what money could buy, and it was solid evidence of their potential.
‘If there’s no lineup change...’
Then GGW could keep flying the R’s flag. Plus, her sister Hyun-ah could grow quickly under Minguk’s wing.
“Heroes keep flooding our clan with messages. Some are pretty big names. That’s why I set up this meeting—to chat with you about it, Raid Leader.”
“From the way you’re talking... sounds like you’ve got some solid heroes in mind?”
“Yes. Even people too big for our clan’s reputation are dying to join your team. All charmed by Han Minguk’s talents.”
Hyun-jung smiled as she slid a few sheets of paper across to him. Profiles of heroes she’d carefully selected. Minguk picked them up and muttered.
“Tanya Ruth?”
The top profile featured a photo of a Western woman with roughly cropped silver hair and yellow eyes. Scars dotted her nose bridge and cheeks, giving off a vibe of someone tough as nails even in the picture.
“Tanya Ruth. Russia’s ‘Bear Tank,’ a third-year tank hero. She’s a top prospect even in Russia, ranked third in raid power. She hit rank 11 on Evolution’s rankings too—you’ve heard of those, right, Raid Leader?”
“That high?”
“Of course. Right after you, Raid Leader.”
Minguk felt a twinge of something off at that. Not because Tanya was right behind him, but because nine people were ahead of him.
Still, expanding the raid team meant needing one more tank, one dealer, and two healers. A tank with talent on par with Oh Hyun-ah? No reason to turn that down.
“Sounds good. So when does she join the raid team?”
Minguk asked with anticipation. But Hyun-jung gave him an awkward smile.
“...We’ll have to wait and see on that.”
“Huh? Why? Does a foreign hero need a work visa or something to operate here?”
“No, it’s not that. The Korea Hero Association probably wants her in our clan more than anyone.”
Hyun-jung’s face soured as she spoke in a self-deprecating tone.
“She’s a world rank 11 prospect. Even with her strong desire and flexible contract terms, snagging Tanya means shelling out a fortune to her Russian clan.”
“...We don’t have the funds.”
“We’re scraping together transfer money from loans here and there. We’ve got stuff from the Japan Hero Association we can sell for some cash. But bringing her over right now? Not realistic.”
“Well, if that’s the case...”
No helping it. They weren’t tackling a 【B-1】 dungeon tomorrow anyway.
After reviewing Tanya Ruth’s info, Minguk flipped to the next page—and his eyes went wide. There was Shiranui Mai, the one he’d had a wild time with in the ‘Night Citadel.’
As his puzzled gaze turned to Hyun-jung, she spoke in a hesitant voice.
“As you know, Japan’s super-elite hero. She’s a Working Girl now, but her talent’s still top-tier. I tossed her profile in since I wasn’t sure what you’d think. Hitomi Clan’s releasing her soon, so no transfer fee.”
“I heard her mana goes berserk mid-raid as a Working Girl.”
“Yeah... If you take her on, Raid Leader, it’d mean all sorts of restrictions on raid schedules. She’d have to handle her urges before long expeditions. Risk skyrockets if raids drag on.”
“Hmm...”
Minguk’s brow furrowed instinctively. Shiranui Mai might be a talent explosion waiting to happen, but he wasn’t keen on risking mana rampage for it. Sure, those bouncing assets were tempting...
‘Free talent? Not bad.’
No transfer fee was appealing. The clan wasn’t dirt-poor, but grabbing world-class prospects was a stretch.
Korea was only around 20th in raid power, after all.
‘That said...’
Sleeping with Shiranui Mai had netted him Sex Coins, a new currency tied to his exclusive Chaos Shop.
But no quests since, and nothing from other women. Getting close to her again might trigger one.
Still, not worth the mana rampage uncertainty.
“She’s overflowing with talent, so if she wants in, no harm taking her. But not for my team. Maybe reserve dealer if we slot her.”
“Got it. I’ll pass that along to Shiranui Mai.”
The Brazil-based twin healer sisters, famous as the Büchsen duo, had also expressed interest in joining GGW. Both were on the world rankings.
Of course, R’s couldn’t afford their price tags—pie in the sky. Their clan, well aware of their potential, was dead set against the transfers. Everything boiled down to money.
“Tanya Ruth?”
The small hand slicing the meat paused. On a rare date night, hearing about another clan wasn’t ideal, but as Memoria Clan’s leader, she couldn’t brush off the name from her man’s lips.
Taeyeon tilted her head, then asked Minguk.
“So the Russian Bear Tank’s joining your raid team? Under R’s?”
“Not set in stone. Only if our clan can cover her transfer fee.”
“Hmmm...”
Taeyeon let out a long hum at her boyfriend’s casual reply. Memoria might be different, but R’s—backed by Rose Group—had shockingly poor funding. Tanya’s recruitment was likely doomed.
But a global prospect like Tanya active in Korea would boost the nation’s raid power score—and rankings.
Not top-10 material yet, but factoring in Han Minguk’s growth, they might edge out Mexico at 19th.
Two of Evolution’s top prospects in tiny Korea? As Taeyeon pondered, Minguk speared a slice of meat and popped it in his mouth.
‘Whoa... This is no joke.’
His eyes flicked to Taeyeon. As expected from a chaebol heiress’s pick—top-notch. Plus, he’d spent nearly two hours shopping with her beforehand. Everything tasted amazing now.
“If even Tanya Ruth is interested, tons of heroes must be clamoring for your raid team.”
Taeyeon resumed cutting her meat, feigning disinterest. But how could she not care? Every clan in Korea had eyes glued to R’s newbie GGW expansion.
A raid leader whose cert was still drying ink had cleared 【B-2】 with average teammates. No telling how far they’d go.
Clan insiders whispered GGW could hit 【A-1】, like Park Da-young’s raid. Some even speculated 【S】 clears.
“Plenty, yeah? Shiranui Mai included.”
“Ahh...”
Shiranui Mai, the tragic Working Girl turned by a Korean dungeon monster, shocked Japan days ago.
- Heading to Korea. Gonna learn a ton there. Korea number one!
Japan’s top prospect ditching a raid powerhouse for R’s—3rd Army, no less. Not 2nd, due to her Working Girl volatility.
Outraged Japanese blasted Hitomi Clan for dumping their star like trash. Too late—the deal was done.
Shiranui joined R’s, but as standby only. No real recruitment.
“Doesn’t change much, though. No big signings, no urgent expansion. Planning to sync with 2nd and 3rd Army heroes via mana crystals first.”
“...Rose Shield’s 2nd and 3rd Armies?”
Taeyeon sighed deeply at Minguk’s answer. R’s 2nd and 3rd couldn’t clear 【B-1】 reliably—more likely to drag him down. Better beg a corp for help and force it...
“Huh?”
“Yeah?”
Minguk tilted his head at Taeyeon’s sudden startled look, like she’d realized something. Moments later, she smiled.
“Tanya Ruth. We’ll recruit her. Convince her to join our clan, will you?”
“Wha...? Memoria?”
“Yep. Then we loan her straight to R’s. They cover half her salary. We snag a star prospect, you get a great teammate. Deal?”
“Uh...”
Like it or pass? He couldn’t decide. Tanya’s fee wasn’t pocket change—astronomical. Weird that Memoria would foot it.
“Usually wives support husbands. Think of it as the reverse.”
Taeyeon grinned at his puzzled face. No loss for Memoria. Tanya was too elite even for their prestige to approach.
And Taeyeon aimed to make Memoria Korea’s top clan.