◈ Episode 48. However, Hiding Is Useless (2)
I hadn’t tried to hide it meticulously.
I had merely done what needed to be done.
So I didn’t go around boasting about my accomplishments.
But hiding the truth was also.
Something that went against the attitude of a nobleman.‘So in the end, it’s all because of that tiresome personality of his.’I picked up my teacup while looking down at my smartphone.
Clink─“You are being exceedingly dramatic.”
That was truly a remarkably matter-of-fact assessment.
If it had been the me of the past.
Tea time, my foot.
I would have been so excited that I couldn’t even sleep properly.
Explosive—no, even that wasn’t enough.
The repercussions were literally on the level of a nuclear explosion.
First, there was the footage of the battle against the Great Evil released by Gaon.‘So they were recording that whole thing.’Apparently, it had originally been intended to analyze the monster’s attack patterns.
As luck would have it, I had been captured in the footage as well, which meant I had been spared the trouble.
I could still vividly remember the look on reporter Jeong Manseok’s face when he had flinched at my words.
“You need only believe.”
I sounded like some sort of cult leader saying that.
But how could that possibly be easy to believe?
The fact that I possessed authority over the Kingdom of Yusra.
It was no different from saying that I had accomplished something tremendous in the Kingdom of Yusra, and that based on those accomplishments, I had accumulated an enormous network of connections and influence.
An accomplishment that immense at this point in time?
If he had any instinct as a reporter.
He would have realized it right there.
That I was the protagonist of the World Message who had saved the Kingdom of Yusra from the Great Evil.
So of course he couldn’t believe it.
The Great Evil, the Seven Deadly Sins—Greed.
It had been a level 650 demon-type monster, after all.
“In the end, it was nothing more than a trifling demon.”
I could say that shamelessly now.
But without the help of the Lionheart Knights, Gaon, and the Berserkers…… I would never have found it in that vast Golden Palace. And even if I had found it, I wouldn’t have been able to fight it properly, not with my mana exhausted.
But I was the only one who knew the circumstances behind it.
And perhaps thanks to the editing.
Even I had to admit that I looked strong in the footage.
It even felt a little like watching some superhero movie.
Yes, it had all been great.……
Except for one thing.‘That goddamn embarrassing past.’As always, it was this stupid mouth of mine causing trouble……![It is time to rectify your mistakes, nameless king.]
The time had come for Hakuna to rectify his mistakes.
But when the hell would it be time to rectify my embarrassing past?!
What was most humiliating of all.
Was that the footage had decorated every portal site imaginable, NetTube included.
What did that mean?
It meant that those hateful, beloved people had sent me messages.-LMAOOOOOO you crazy bastardA message sent with a video link attached for no reason whatsoever.
It was from my archenemy, Lee Yerim.
-Yeol, how do you keep getting cooler?
-But how long are you planning to keep insisting on that chuunibyou persona?
-Actually, you can keep it up~ The reaction’s great~Number Two, Lee Jiyoon, sent not just one, but three messages.
-Little brother! It’s nice seeing you grow more dependable by the day^^ Arang is going crazy saying you look like a prince! She keeps asking several times a day when she can see Uncle.
My eldest sister, Lee Eunhye.……
Right, my eldest sister was kind.
She hadn’t meant it in that way, of course.‘……
Arang, please don’t think about seeing Uncle for a while.’There was a picture attached.
Arang was smiling brightly as she watched me on TV.
It felt like my niece had discovered my embarrassing past.
The shame was impossible to put into words.
Of course, I didn’t show the slightest hint of it.
With a posture straighter than ever.
I sent back a reply so calm it was almost reverent.
-I owe it all to you ladies for watching over me.
Damn it, manners and formality.
It was only natural to behave respectfully toward my older sisters.
A message from my archenemy appeared at once.
-Guys, I think he’s seriously lost it……
Enough.
Even if I said something, it would only tire me out further.
Still, it was a relief.
Then came another long message from my eldest sister.
-Mom and Dad seemed to feel a lot less worried after seeing you this time! Even if they didn’t say anything before, I think they were really concernedㅜㅜ Anyway, thanks to your pride, you’ve managed not to make the family worry anymore.
For once today, I was a dutiful son.‘Now I only have to worry about myself.’Because I had just poured oil onto the flames raging out of control.‘Why, I’m talking about the Shinhwa Guild.’The Shinhwa Guild was paying the price for offending me in full.
Since they had hidden behind the media, they must have been taking the backlash head-on.
“However, it is insufficient.”
Of course, a bombardment of comments from netizens alone was not enough.‘If it hadn’t been for that interview.’I wouldn’t have had to suffer through this humiliation in the first place.
I leisurely tilted my teacup as I sharpened the blade of my revenge.
I would return this shame several times over…….*The broadcasting stations were engaged in an intense battle of wits.
Who would be the first to point a camera at Lee Hoyeol?!
The current buzz surrounding Lee Hoyeol was difficult to express in words.
Simply capturing Lee Hoyeol alone in the frame.
Would guarantee a viewership rating of at least twenty percent.
However.
“You’d have to be insane for ratings to actually…….”
“Who would want to crawl into that tiger’s den?”
“His prickly personality must have gotten even pricklier by now.”
Could anyone really step forward recklessly?
Lee Hoyeol had already been difficult enough to cover.
And it turned out that this same Lee Hoyeol was strong enough to defeat a level 650 monster by himself.
As if that weren’t enough, he had openly expressed his displeasure, unlike before.
Hyun Yongseok, the PD of Today’s Arcana.
Even the so-called ratings-obsessed lunatic had no choice but to back down this time.
“It wasn’t long ago that our Jongjin almost died while riding in a helicopter. I can’t send him into danger again. I’ll let it go this once, Jongjin.”
If even Hyun Yongseok was taking that stance.
The situation at the other broadcasting stations went without saying.
Let’s give up on Lee Hoyeol.
That was the conclusion they had reached, but it wasn’t as if the people at the broadcasting stations would simply sit around twiddling their thumbs.
Not as passionate as they were about Lee Hoyeol, and passionate in an entirely different way…….
There was one place where ratings were guaranteed.
“So, how’s the reaction at Shinhwa Group headquarters?”
Shinhwa Group Building.
The press line installed there was packed with broadcasting cameras and reporters.
The Shinhwa Guild had effectively been publicly targeted by Lee Hoyeol.
And the Shinhwa Guild was practically an affiliate of Shinhwa Group.
Click─A reporter who had been testing his flash whispered.
“Still, Shinhwa is something else.”
“Indeed. I never thought they’d try to break through head-on.”
“Players’ minds really are beyond the understanding of ordinary people like us, aren’t they?”
The master of the Shinhwa Guild, Baek Yiseol.
She had immediately delivered her response to Lee Hoyeol’s interview.──────[Breaking News] Shinhwa Guild Master Baek Yiseol: “I will go to Lee Hoyeol.”──────Even seeing it again, one could only marvel at her attitude.
Ah─ The anchor loosened his mouth and reviewed his script before speaking to the director.
“She’s just admitted everything outright, hasn’t she? That they were the ones who hid cowardly and tried to use cheap tricks. Well, everyone who knew the situation already knew that, but…….”
“If they’d wanted to deny it, they could have kept denying it until the end. Just look at our station. Those Shinhwa bastards have the bigwigs by the lapels.”
“True. The newsroom was full of groans. They kept asking if they were some kind of punching bag.”
Even with public opinion having turned against them, they were still confronting it head-on.
“Do they have some kind of trump card?”
When the anchor muttered that, the director replied.
“Ah, you’ve never seen Ms. Baek Yiseol before, have you?”
“……
No? This is my first time seeing her in person, right?”
“Then it makes sense. Take a look at her in a moment.”
“Huh? Look at what?”
“You’ll understand where that confidence comes from.”
“……?”
He would understand once he saw her?
The answer only deepened the question instead of resolving it.
But the question did not last long.
“Oh! She’s here!”
Click─!
Baek Yiseol soon appeared in front of the press line.
A barrage of flashes poured down.
But Baek Yiseol didn’t even frown.
A coat draped over her shoulders.
A daring outfit glimpsed beneath it.
Yet her appearance was more dazzling than either.
Baek Yiseol.
Where her confidence came from.
The director had said he would understand once he saw her.
The anchor realized it the moment he came face-to-face with Baek Yiseol.‘……
This goes beyond mere beauty.’She was captivating.
There was something about her that bewitched people.
It was enough to make him forget even his own profession.
The director mouthed words at the dazed anchor.
-What are you doing? You got your cue!
“……!”
Only then did the anchor come to his senses and open his mouth.
“Yes, I am currently reporting from in front of Shinhwa Group headquarters!”...
The Mage Tower.
Even at the portal, the area around Baek Yiseol was teeming with people.
Though the press had fallen away, NetTube players had latched onto her.
This was a huge opportunity for them to draw in viewers, too.
Anyone could see how perfectly the situation was set up.
“I’m telling you, the Shinhwa Guild bastards screwed me over more than once or twice back when I was grinding rifts?! Yes, you’re asking me not to fabricate anything? How did you know?”
They were polar opposites.
Lee Hoyeol, whose stock was soaring to unprecedented heights.
And the Shinhwa Guild, which was equally infamous for being hated.
Whatever the outcome.
All the NetTubers had to do was enjoy the spectacle and reap the rewards.
They couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.
-It’s hilarious that this is even becoming a hot topic lol
-Seriously lol What do you all think Lord Hoyeol is, anyway?
-Is being a guild master and chaebol enough? If that’s the logic, then Lee Hoyeol has the Kingdom of Yusra behind him lol
-How dare they be so rude, calling him Lee Hoyeol?! Is she insane?
“That’s right. Our big bro Hoyeol will definitely bring justice!”
They took Lee Hoyeol’s side just enough.
-But even so, it’s a fact that Shinhwa has politicians backing them;;;;
-Seriously, this doesn’t look easy.
“And Baek Yiseol is insanely good at negotiations.”
-Her abilities are definitely the real deal, yeah;;
“As expected of my sharp viewers, my brothers and sisters. That’s an excellent point.”
Then they stirred up just enough tension.
All they had to do was draw in viewers.
And, while watching the mood, collect a little money too.
“So, in support of our big bro Hoyeol, shall we give him one more rousing reaction? What? You’re asking why I’m the one receiving the money when we’re supporting Lee Hoyeol? Well, I have to make a living too……”
The commotion surrounding her.
But she merely gave a small scoff.‘Go ahead and chatter to your heart’s content.’
How foolish.
The time when their reactions would be reversed was not far off.
Baek Yiseol—or rather, the succubus—advanced toward the portal.
The memories remaining in Baek Yiseol’s body allowed her to realize what the portal was and what role it served.
The succubus clicked her tongue at those following behind her.‘How foolish, for mere humans.’They were needlessly bothersome.
Soon, the Kingdom of Yusra came into the succubus’s view.
Indeed, the atmosphere of her homeland could be felt here.
No, to be precise, perhaps it was her second homeland.
After all, she would forever be a demon born in Hell.
The succubus headed straight for the Golden Palace.‘That’s going to fall into my hands.’Lee Hoyeol.
She never imagined that he would resist her seduction.
After taking over Baek Yiseol’s body, she had grown at an astounding rate.
Yes, to put it in the words remaining in Baek Yiseol’s memories…….‘It means I leveled up.’Enough to rival even a high-ranking demon.
And besides, wasn’t Lee Hoyeol still a man, no matter what?
“What brings you here?”
Unlike the female knight who had blocked her path.
The one who stopped her was Yessica.
The Lionheart Knights served as the royal guard of the Kingdom of Yusra, after all.
Baek Yiseol’s lips moved.
“I’m Baek Yiseol. I’ve come to see Mr. Lee Hoyeol.”
Yessica did not say anything further.
“Outsiders are not permitted entry. Please wait a moment.”
With that, Yessica left the area.
But the succubus’s eyes were sharp.‘She’s naively innocent to the point of foolishness.’She seemed to trust Lee Hoyeol.‘Men are all the same, after all.’Just imagining the look of disappointment on Yessica’s face already filled her with ecstasy.
Perhaps that was why waiting did not bore her.
Besides, there was quite a racket going on around her.
“Looks like he’s finally arrived?”
“Perfect timing for a break. Please subscribe.”
“……
You want me to go in too? No, how am I supposed to get in there? That’s too cruel, really! Do I look like I want to get cut down and killed by the Lionheart Knights?!”
And then Yessica returned.
“……?”
But for some reason.
The corners of her lips were raised slightly—ever so slightly.
Yessica once again did not say anything further.
“He says you should go back.”……
Wait a minute, what did she just say?
G, go back?
The succubus was dumbfounded.
That couldn’t be.
She must not have conveyed the message properly.
“Did you tell him correctly? That Baek Yiseol of the Shinhwa Guild had come to see him…….”
Yessica immediately nodded.
“I have no time to waste meeting with you today. Send her back.”
She continued in a cold voice.
“He said to convey those exact words.”
For a moment, silence flowed between the two women─“…….”
But there was no chance the NetTubers would let that pass quietly.
“……
What? Not just rejecting her, but turning her away at the door?”
“He definitely said he had no time to waste, right? So that means meeting Baek Yiseol is no different from wasting his time……?”
“B, big bros! It looks like Baek Yiseol just got rejected for real?!”