◈ Episode 293. I Was Overlooking It (2)
The Great Upheaval.
To some, it was nothing but a calamity.
But simultaneously, to others, it was an opportunity and a stroke of fortune.
In the case of the Republic of Korea, it had been the latter.
Not only had the Mage Tower, Arcana's strongest military force, updated in Seoul, the capital. There was also the presence of players who possessed a high level relative to their numbers, led by top-ranking player Nam Tae-min.
Even among the citizens of such a fortunate Republic of Korea, the luckiest of all were the Yeouido politicians.
In the past, during times of international turmoil, they had even resented Dangun for relocating the nation's capital to such a peninsula, but.
Clink—glasses clinking.
"Who would have known? Being pushed back by China, being pushed back by Japan—it would turn into a blessing in disguise. Thanks to that, life is quite sweet these days. Hahaha."
To reiterate.
The politicians of the Republic of Korea were excessively lucky.
Look at other countries.
There was no need to look far; take Japan, for instance.
Hisagi, a ranker player, formed a confrontational structure against the Japanese government, and in the end.
Hadn't he completely turned his back on his homeland?
Perhaps because life was so sweet, the alcohol tasted good as well.
"Keh! It's all thanks to Nam Tae-min being so obedient despite his size. I realize it anew, but isn't the temperament of the Korean people truly remarkable? Even after all that, they follow the nation's lead so well."
The hero of the Republic of Korea.
True to that title, Nam Tae-min's conduct was impeccably upright. Whether because of that or because of his muscles, it had been a great pity that even the mouth of a straw couldn't fit when they tried to insert one—but.
At times like these, one had to find another way.
"No matter how prosperous things are, excessive greed causes indigestion. You all know that, yes? Quietly, subtly. Long and thin."
Third-term, fourth-term, fifth-term lawmakers, ministers, and such.
If Level proved a Player's experience, then the gold badge was the medal proving theirs. Those gathered here were masters of the art of worldly wisdom accumulated through experience.
Clink—glasses clashing once more.
Intoxication rises.
True feelings emerge.
"They've completely lost face. Some great power indeed."
"Li Anwei. I wonder what that bastard's expression looks like. Hahahaha."
"Now is the time to behave, watch the ritual, and eat rice cakes. Heavenly Unity has been driven into a corner. The more they're backed into a corner, isn't it obvious they'll throw out crumbs everywhere?"
China and Heavenly Unity must be impatient.
The more they were, the more they would turn their eyes to a way out of the situation.
And standing firm as rice cakes blocking that very way out was none other than themselves.
Words that could be truth or jest were exchanged.
"Shouldn't we raise the toll a bit for this?"
"Indeed, isn't it? Given the situation. Haha."
"How desperately must that punk Liu O Jun-chun be begging from behind."
A official's hat is a official's hat; information came in even if they sat still.
Rumors about Liu O Jun-chun were no different.
In that sense, the high dignitaries swallowed sighs of relief.
"No matter how I think about it, it's a stroke of heavenly luck."
"What do you mean?"
"Nam Tae-min, of course, and even Yi Ho-yeol."
"...!"
"They have little interest in this side, don't they?"
Because there was the example of Liu O Jun-chun.
Drawing empathy was not difficult.
Wasn't even a player of Liu O Jun-chun's caliber shaking up China? And Yi Ho-yeol possessed far greater influence than such a Liu O Jun-chun.
At this moment, those gathered harbored the same thought.
If Ho-yeol started stepping up like Liu O Jun-chun?
They shook their heads.
To the point their heads moved on their own.
The aftershocks were dreadful even to imagine.
Therefore.
"As always, we'll have to restrain him moderately."
Yi Ho-yeol's influence needed to be suppressed moderately.
If anyone were listening to the conversation, they might snort.
What obstacle could these old foxes of the political world possibly pose to Yi Ho-yeol? Honestly, it was true. Their role was simply to raise the issue.
"Hasn't it always been the people who tear and bite?"
To raise a doubt, a single word was enough.
But to refute that doubt.
Dozens of pieces of evidence were needed.
"Of course, since the opponent is who he is, let's be careful."
It was Yi Ho-yeol, for heaven's sake.
A player who had achieved legendary feats in both the Arcana continent and reality.
Those who valued their own safety above all else would never dare touch Ho-yeol rashly.
Moreover.
"Now that he has slain the great evil, it is best to remain silent."
Not only had Ho-yeol defeated the great evil.
Thanks to delivering a perfect blow to Heavenly Unity.
He was receiving wholehearted support worldwide.
Of course, that didn't mean there were no methods at all.
Gulp—while tilting his glass, a word came to mind suddenly.
"......By the way, have you all heard?"
"?"
"Of Claudi."
Ackshan.
Demon Hunter.
And finally, Claudi.
The three existences revealed to be connected to Yi Ho-yeol.
And among them.
What remained a question was the exact meaning of Claudi.
"Can't we raise a moderate doubt and push this? Why, it was the demons who shouted for Claudi, wasn't it?"
"Oho."
"Wait, but the one who actually slayed the demon was Yi Ho-yeol, wasn't he?"
"Haha. Stories are made, Minister."
A simple photo of politicians shaking hands.
With just one such photo, they could create an absurd novel.
And it was them who could disguise such a novel as fact.
But Claudi.
Wasn't this the most suitable bait imaginable?
"Now that you mention it, there's a point?"
"The time has come to draw a proper big picture. Haha."
"Come to think of it, aren't we the lucky ones again?"
Clink—glasses tilting.
Right now, as they were scheming.
Ho-yeol wouldn't even pay them any attention.
The gathered figures were newly grateful for Ho-yeol's pride.
"A hero who doesn't care about public opinion. Isn't he the very hero who can bring the world we desire? Hahahaha!"
*I am Number 3 and a sworn enemy.
I read Yi Ye-rim's message carefully.
Then I spoke to Wolf.
"Let's finish the rest of the story when everyone is awake."
It would be preposterous to hear about Granfel's follow-through and the Shadow Mercenaries' future plans from Wolf alone. Because there might be members who oppose Wolf's will. It meant I had to talk with all of them to be certain.
Wolf bowed his head.
"Of course, Commander."
I immediately left the private room.
As if something was so urgent.
If anyone asked, it was because something had happened...!
-Ho-yeol.
-Why is this noona so familiar with it?
-What's the deal with that word Claudi??? -(mischievously laughing dog sticker)
I recalled a distant memory.
Did I tell her Granfel's full name...?
'Would I have gone crazy and done that!'
Even though I was someone who suffered from a severe case of eighth-grader syndrome, I chose my targets when having an episode. If it were my big sister, that would be one thing, but would I have blabbered such a name in front of my sworn enemy who could catch me as easily as catching a mouse...!!
'What does she know, this?'
It was the moment I was breaking a cold sweat internally.
There was a memory that flashed by suddenly.
......Right.
It was the notebook.
The notebook where all my dark history was written, without a doubt!
When a family falls on hard times, the square footage of the house naturally decreases.
What did that mean?
It meant my sworn enemy inevitably had to encroach on my living space.
'......There was a time when we even carried each other's backpacks.'
Hey, did she rummage through my dark history notebook then?!
The moment cold sweat turned into beads of sweat.
First, I tried to pull myself together.
Because more than anything, she didn't seem to know anything besides Claudi.
'If she knew, she couldn't be this docile. Not with her personality.'
Moreover, my sworn enemy's main point wasn't Claudi.
-But Maknae...
-Why are Mom and Dad worried so much today?
-Because of this article-(link)
I could tell just by looking at the title.
I already knew the content well from seeing it.
Didn't I tell you?
The odd curiosity of internet surfing that cannot be neglected under any circumstances.
So I nodded deeply.
I even intoned.
"As expected."
To summarize the article, it was simple.
'The intention is clearly visible.'
It was a common critical article that had followed my every move.
Why, because netizens can see the angle.
Those articles that threw out only bait without conclusions.
Shall we look at examples from until now?
-Government official, "As expected, the lack of close cooperation is regrettable......"
-An expert stated, "We should follow the example of China and Heavenly Unity." -[In-depth Coverage] Perhaps, a tragedy that could have been prevented.
Naturally, I, Yi Ho-yeol, didn't even snort at such articles.
Why, you ask?
Because from the moment they mentioned Heavenly Unity, their true intentions were clearly visible. More than anything, I had top Korean players like Nam Tae-min of Gaon and Baek Yi-seol of Shinhwa by my side.
'Even though the government has never caused me trouble.'
It meant I had indirectly experienced it through them.
Not to mention Granfel's case.
He did not concern himself with others' evaluations.
For he was the possessor of lofty pride.
No matter what they blabbered, until now, there had been no value in paying attention.
But.
-[Exclusive Coverage] What is Claudi's true identity?
-Anonymous expert, "Yi Ho-yeol may have a connection with demons......"
-The word the demons howled, 'Claudi'.......
This was a different story...!
'What else is Claudi but my endlessly deep and dark history.'
And yet they were trying to dig that up?
Not just an exclusive coverage.
Even mentioning a connection with demons?!
Of course, I was the only one who knew the complicated truth.
The ordinary masses couldn't help but misunderstand.
'Because it wasn't just any demon, but even the Demon King howled Claudi.'
This must be what Mom and Dad are worried about, as my sworn enemy had said.
In that sense, these articles had crossed the line splendidly.
I continued.
"I was overlooking it."
Yes, I had been too lenient until now?
I must have been neglectful while they flailed desperately.
The education in manners.
"The feelings of Father and Mother."
......But wait.
Why Mom and Dad all of a sudden?
And who is overlooking what, Granfel.
'Is there a more filial son than me?'
Incessantly.
Even now, I was the one who consistently wrote handwritten letters every dawn to send my regards. And I sent them an allowance every month without fail. Yet, regardless of my objections, the words continued.
"That public opinion is directed not only at me."
Only then did I realize.
"The honor of the family."
That's right.
Because this meant they had touched not only Claudi but even the Yi family. In the end, it seemed this busybody concern for both reality and the Arcana continent extended to protecting the Yi family's honor as well...!
"As a successor, this is not something I can abide idly."
......Successor?
Yes, I was indeed the successor of the Claudi family.
And I was indeed the successor of the Yi family, but....
'Did you have to mutter it with such grandeur?'
In front of the Healing School's private room.
The gazes of skilled mages, including Claire, were focused.
Though no one reacted to the serious atmosphere....
'They all heard it, my soliloquy.'
However.
Click clack.
There was no hesitation in my steps, for I had already decided.
At this point, I was starting to worry.
His usual demeanor.
Granfel, who had maintained composure before any Demon King or great evil, was silently furious at this moment where the family's honor was tarnished. It meant that even I was beginning to worry, as my actions were becoming unpredictable.......
*Click.
Ssanghwacha topped with yolk.
What broke the peaceful and leisurely teatime was the hotline network.
A staff member dressed in a formal suit delivered it cautiously.
"It's a call from Park Min-jae, Branch Chief of the AAU Korea Branch."
The middle-aged man with considerable white hair asked back.
"Branch Chief Park? Why him? He's not one to contact first."
The staff member answered with a troubled expression.
"The thing is, Player Yi Ho-yeol wishes to have a dialogue with the President......"
"?!"
The President of the Republic of Korea, Jeong Han-taek.
Not just a player, that Black Abyss Dragon Yi Ho-yeol, with me, a dialogue...?!
Startled, he spat out the Ssanghwacha he had been holding in his mouth.
"Agh, agh. Wh-what is going on right now?!"
A move to restore honor.
From the very first step.
It was checkmate.