"The tank was always you, Hyun-ah, with Lin Sha as melee dealer and Ashlyn as debuffer and ranged dealer. So, can you find us a ranged dealer who can buff right away?"
"...What are you talking about? That's you, isn't it? Don't we need a healer?"
"..."
How was he supposed to explain this? Should he say that during the time he was briefly out of it, his soul had awakened to the talents of a healer? Either way, there wasn't enough time for a long-winded explanation. Even if he did explain, Hyun-ah wouldn't understand. He just had to push forward.
"From now on, I'll handle healing. I'll give the orders too. For gear, we have healer equipment gathered from 1st and 2nd-grade monsters that you and I can use. We'll buy anything that's missing at the auction house with some cash."
He didn't know how much money was available, but based on experience, decent gear would suffice against 3rd-grade monsters. From Hyun-ah's perspective, though, Minguk's words sounded utterly absurd.
"Are you out of your mind? You think the team will buy that?"
"For now, let's fill Runia's spot and test my command skills by taking on some easier 3rd-grade monsters first. The Raid Qualification Exam is right around the corner. What do you say?"
Hyun-ah let out a deep sigh at Minguk's urging.
"...Haa. What if something goes wrong?"
She hesitated, glancing at Minguk cautiously as she spoke. Even for mana-awakened heroes, raids could mean death in an instant.
"Don't worry. I've got a Revival Stone."
"...Where the hell did you get something that expensive?"
Hyun-ah grumbled in defeat at the mention of the Revival Stone, then placed her hands back on the keyboard. Fortunately, she had a ton of connections. After about thirty minutes, she nodded and spoke up.
"Found a ranged dealer. Calls herself a 'beautiful girl archer.' She's got Attack Boost (B), Ice Arrow (B), and Lightning Barrage (B)."
"Not bad."
Minguk nodded.
In GGW, the girls could equip three skill stones each before entering combat. That's why gamers prepared specific skills for their girls based on the monsters they'd face, tailoring them for raids. Naturally, many skills had class and grade restrictions tied to the 1-star and 2-star ratings.
Just as they could swap skills using skill stones for each fight, GGW gamers and their girls could also change classes by expending potential.
In other words, depending on their skills, gear, and abilities, a tank could become a dealer, or a dealer could transform into a healer.
"But you've never healed before. Do you even know how to cast Heal? Damn, this is making me anxious..."
Hyun-ah had zero faith in Minguk taking on the healer role.
It was understandable. Up until now, Minguk had only ever played as a ranged dealer. Even at Hero Academy, he'd never so much as touched a healer's staff, let alone cast a heal.
Ignoring Hyun-ah's complaints, Minguk quickly set his skills: Heal (C), AoE Heal (C), Debuff Purge (C). All basic skills that weren't hard to obtain. He still spent a bit rushing the purchase.
'This should be enough.'
The skill grades were only C, but factoring in his new memories and GGW experience, he figured this setup could handle a raid just fine.
He also job-changed to Saint, a B-grade healer class. The forced change consumed a hefty chunk of dealer potential, but he didn't regret it. This body's dealer talents were practically nonexistent anyway.
The only issue was borrowing money from Hyun-ah to buy the class stone.
"That's money for the articulated doll. You have to pay it back within two weeks, no matter what. I already reserved it."
"Got it. Alright, let's head out."
With preparations complete, Minguk dragged the grumbling Hyun-ah to the meeting spot with the team. It felt ridiculous, but once he decided to enjoy this world, his feet moved on their own. The moment he opened the door and stepped out, a ding sounded, and a message appeared before his eyes.
📜 NEW QUEST 📜
Ppuu, created by Chaos, cheers on Han Minguk's first challenge in this world! Please accept your first quest!
📍 Goal: Obtain the 'Raid' qualification!
⏰ Time Limit: This season! Only one week left!
🎁 Reward: 3 Bronze Tickets!
Fail? No penalty. But the Raid qualification exam only comes once a year! No need to waste time needlessly, right?
'What the hell is that?'
Minguk stared at the message floating before him. He didn't scream or make a fuss at the sudden quest. Thanks to his GGW experience, he'd seen countless similar messages. He'd even had indirect exposure through fantasy novels.
"But what kind of reward is that?"
Bronze Ticket.
It wasn't an item from the GGW he knew. GGW didn't have a gacha ticket system like that, so Minguk had no clue what a Bronze Ticket was for.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
GGW was a game set in a grim, futuristic era.
This world was the same. Indiscriminate monster attacks had claimed countless lives, and the survivors fortified cities against them. Leading mana-awakened heroes, they fought to repel invasions or reclaim monster-held lands.
As Minguk stepped outside, gray sleet pelted down. The damp chill with every step left a bitter taste in his mouth for some reason.
He took in the surroundings, committing each detail to memory. He wanted to learn more about the world he'd now live in.
Anyway, this body's original owner lived in Seoul, one of the few megacities holding out against the monster hordes. The hideout where Minguk and Hyun-ah usually met the team was Pub Novis, one of the many street-side bars.
"Long time no see. Heard you were sick—how're you feeling?"
As Minguk entered Pub Novis, a blonde woman in her late twenties or early thirties greeted him familiarly. It was Ashlyn, a Hero Academy graduate from the US. But she'd been out of school for over six years.
"I'm good. Thanks for worrying. And sorry. We couldn't even clear dungeons properly because of me."
"No helping it. Being sick isn't a crime. But we gotta hustle now—no time to rest with the exam just a week away."
Ashlyn winked. Despite her casual tone, the pressure of the looming exam must be eating at her.
Minguk followed Ashlyn to a corner table where three women, including Hyun-ah, were already seated. One face stood out from his memories.
Lin Sha. From China's Zhejiang Province, she was the same age as him and Hyun-ah, and they'd graduated Hero Academy in Seoul together. From two years of living together, her specialty was stirring up trouble with her endless curiosity.
And next to her...
'The self-proclaimed beautiful girl archer? Name's Choi Yuna.'
The description fit. The new recruit, Yuna, was stunningly pretty. Her youthful vibe screamed high schooler rather than adult—must've awakened mana early.
Yuna bowed her head as their eyes met, and Minguk waved back before turning to his old teammate.
"Hey, Lin Sha."
"Hi, Minguk! You're better now, so time to go all out, right? But that raid leader bitch betrayed us? Damn her! She didn't even say a word—just teamed up with other heroes and dove into a dungeon! Traitor!"
While Ashlyn and Minguk sat, Lin Sha didn't stop ranting. She clearly had major beef with Runia, who had left the team.
From memory, Runia wasn't the most mannerly raid leader. Her situational judgment and leading sucked, and whenever a raid failed, she'd spew curses, pick fights, and blame everyone else like it was her default mode.
Melee dealer Lin Sha got the worst of it from Runia. Something about melee dealers getting heals from healers being shameful? She spouted nonsense like that often.
"I gave her an earful, I was so pissed. That French bitch—hope she gets gangbanged by orcs. She'd probably love it, the size queen. Her leading was trash from day one; always gave me the creeps."
"I already deleted her from my friends list."
Ashlyn chimed in agreement. She didn't think much of Runia as raid leader either.
The key point was Runia had bailed, leaving them to hunt seven 3rd-grade monsters in a week for raid quals. Wait, with the new teammate, did that mean starting over from zero for ten?
"Ah, don't worry about me."
Minguk's gaze shifted to Hyun-ah as Yuna extended her hand.
"Oh Hyun-ah. She's just a temp helper?"
"No. She says time's tight, so she'll take the exam next year. She's young too. She's joining now to gain experience against 3rd-grade monsters."
"That doesn't add up. Seven or ten times—might as well pass together since we're starting."
Minguk frowned.
Playing GGW, he'd met and parted with countless girls. He'd learned plenty, including that if you suffer together, you share the rewards. They weren't mere AI. In GGW, they were as real as living humans.
Raid battles against monsters were far more exhausting than expected. You had to use every ability, make no mistakes against their myriad patterns. Endless training to move fluidly, top-tier gear, and precise skill use on the raid leader's call—all essential.
Those who suffered together deserved to share the raid rewards equally. Unless someone leeched or screwed up massively. That kept teams harmonious.
"If we pass early, let's give her extra time to pass too. If not, we'll pool cash for her rewards."
"Ah... I'm fine, really. Just gaining 3rd-grade experience satisfies me. Plus achievements."
"No. First-timer or not, you don't split hairs like that. If you work hard, you share the rewards."
At Minguk's firm tone, Yuna hesitated but nodded reluctantly. The other teammates looked shocked at this new side of him.
Still, seizing control of the mood wasn't bad. He had plenty to say anyway. Time to rebuild the team from scratch. And launder his old "average ranged dealer" rep while at it.
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