11
Chapter 11
"Uuugh... hng...."
Following the Deep-Ocean broadcast, Parang woke up refreshed after a deep, sweet sleep.
She also gave a thorough, deep stretch.
Eleven in the morning. She overslept again.
And, while she was asleep, the World was desperately looking for her.
Parang looked at the mountain of notifications and missed calls.
Parang tried not to panic. After all, she knew what she had done yesterday.
The last confirmed viewer count was 200,000.
200,000. Doing that in front of 200,000 people, not 20,000, and then wrapping it up so sloppily.
She had roughly expected this level of chaos.
Parang firmed her resolve and opened her inbox.
Unlike when she had just rescued Yuna, she had now left her communication channels open.
[ You have (999+) unread emails ]
...A disaster like that surprisingly did not happen.
It was thanks to Yuna using a trick.
'When the broadcast is over, people whining for Artifacts will line up. They'll shove in tear-jerking stories or whatever.'
To preemptively filter them out, Yuna created a dedicated email for [Artifact Inquiries] in the announcement, directing all Artifact-related messages there.
She even threatened to exclude anyone who mentioned Artifacts in the wrong channel from the draw.
Artifacts are distributed through a lottery system after individual verification via a separate site. There is no reason to send an inquiry other than when receiving it.
And the inquiries that come in during all this? All begging.
The [Artifact Inquiries] email was internally considered non-existent as soon as it was created.
Next were inquiries related to Hunter Yoo Parang. The email channels were divided again into interviews, sponsorship inquiries, and guild invitations.
Parang and the other Production Type Hunters wondered if that was really necessary, but Yuna pushed forward, insisting it was absolutely needed.
Right now, Parang thought she had done a very good job listening to her.
Having the public's attention focused on her was much more bothersome than she thought.
'Ah, I just ignore them all.'
It seems there are people who aren't like that, though. Parang was a bit too nervous to do that.
And so, the emails Parang had to process. 2,892 interview requests, 122 sponsorship inquiries, 45 guild invitations.
3,059 in total.
It was still a lot, but for doing 10 A-Rank Artifacts (omitted) in front of 200,000 people, it could be considered very few.
On top of that, she could filter it down even more from here!
Three thousand interview request emails sat before her.
Given her goals, she couldn't just ignore them. However, she could filter them.
About 2,500 of those were sent by T-Tubers.
Parang opened her notepad and brought up the list of approved media outlets for interviews. It was a list agreed upon by 14 Production Type Hunters of varying ideologies, genders, and ages, deciding that these specific outlets were fine!
Then email search -] filtering -] sender search.
Click- clack-
[ Hunter Times ] Six emails.
[ Post Korea ] Ten emails.
[ SubGarnet ] Nine emails.
All remaining emails deleted.
Not satisfied with the Monster Fish, Parang had extended her ruthless slaughter to her emails.
The magic of three thousand emails instantly shrinking to twenty-five. That power was enough to surprise the World. (Not really.)
Anyway, Parang skimmed through the emails and wrote a reply to Reporter Lee Hyungjin of [ SubGarnet ].
It was because of a single sentence that struck a chord in her heart.
[We can conduct the interview underwater.]
Parang had been immensely worried deep down that she would tremble and shiver during the interview.
Interview inquiries, processing complete.
Next is sponsorships. Parang didn't need financial support. All discarded.
Guild invitations. These were the same.
Where on earth was a guild that could help her dive 1km under the sea? All discarded.
Still, Parang thought about creating a guild once. Undersea Hunter guild. Isn't it cool!
Well, she pushed that off for the future, as Parang still had things to do.
There were still others who wanted to have a conversation with Parang.
Those who didn't need something like an 'email' to contact Parang.
The Hunter Association, the World Government, and Cylo.
Excluding the Hunter Association, these were left behind by the Original Work protagonist and Slayers.
Of course, 'officially', the Cylo Corporation was the only one founded by Slayers.
The World Government was an organization that claimed, "To prevent the dispersion of Hunter forces due to hegemonic competition, all governments around the world have merged to form a single Government centered on Seoul."
"Then how are you going to explain the Hunter troops under your command?"
"Ah, they are the ones who stepped forward to volunteer."
"Why Seoul, of all places?"
"It happens to be geographically favorable there."
Obviously, it was bullshit. No one seriously believed this.
Because of this, all sorts of conspiracy theories sprang up. From reptilians to resurrected Nazis, flat Earth theory, donut Earth theory, flying spaghetti.... There wasn't just one or two.
Among them, the one that gained overwhelming support was the Slayers conspiracy theory.
The theory claimed, "Didn't Hunter Han Siwoo just make it?" This was actually not a conspiracy theory. Because it was real. Calling it a conspiracy theory was just words; it was an open secret. The first President of the World Government? Kang Yuri, Slayers. 2nd President? Olivia Cloverfield, Slayers. 3rd President? Yoo Sungjun, Lancers. Ah! The 3rd President Yoo Sungjun! Was he the hope of the era who ended the brutal dictatorship of Slayers, a Superhuman on a white horse?! Not at all. Lancers was the so-called Slayers 2nd string, cultivated by Hunter Han Siwoo to maintain Earth's order after his Ascension. Because of their purpose, there were a massive number of them, and each and every one of them was a world-class powerhouse. In reality, they were also the organization substantially ruling the World right now. It was also the reason the World's order was maintained even after Slayers underwent Ascension. Hunter Han Siwoo had a talent for cultivating successors. Because of the overwhelming military power these guys possessed, no one could cause an accident even if they wanted to. Then what happened to the existing governments? They existed, for now. As subordinate organizations of the World Government. If the World Government was the Blue House, it felt like the governments of each country played the role of city halls. So, while there might be a few interest disputes beneath the surface, things like wars, armed protests, or diplomatic conflicts didn't occur. Next, Cylo Corporation. You could simply think of these guys as a 'leading giant corporation that swallowed the World'. They completely devoured the global market with capital and technology that no one on Earth could keep up with, and then... they didn't really do anything. Surprisingly, the World's economy was running without any difference before and after Cylo. The founder was Hunter Han Siwoo. Lastly, the Hunter Association. Current Association President, Igarashi Natsuko. Lancers. Association Vice President, Alisa Kozlov. Lancers. Asia General Branch Manager and Seoul Branch Manager, Seo Sunwoo. Lancers. Europe General Branch Manager and Berlin Branch Manager, Alfonso Lopez Blasco. Lancers. North America General Branch Manager and... Lancers. It was the post-ending world of a common munchkin Hunter story. Befitting the protagonist of a munchkin Hunter story, the aftermath was very clean. There were no blind spots. Surprisingly, these three groups were currently in a competitive relationship. Hunter Han Siwoo, who was a Korean to his core, established a separation of powers system on this Earth even as he Ascended. From about 5 years before Ascension, Slayers completely stepped back into the background, and Lancers took their place. Anyway. Two of the three groups ruling this World contacted Parang at the same time. First, the World Government.
"Are you Hunter Yoo Parang?"
"Yes, I am."
Earlier, while she was processing emails, a man sporting Sunglasses & a Suit came by holding a civil servant ID, handed over a Document, and disappeared.
It had the time, location, and other trivial details written on it.
Next, the Hunter Association.
As soon as the World Government agent left, a call came from Manager Choi.
"Parang. Try going to the Seoul Association next Sunday. The Branch Manager said he wanted to see you."
"Huh? The Branch Manager?"
Parang was very surprised. Manager Choi was someone who had been around the Association for a while, but was he at the level to run errands for the Branch Manager?
When she asked this over the phone, Manager Choi replied,
"There's such a thing. It's not a bad thing for you either, so trust me and go."
"Well... okay. If it's next Sunday..."
"It's August 4th. Two in the afternoon."
It was the same date proposed by the World Government.
Well, it would probably just be a scouting offer at best. Parang accepted the proposal without thinking too much about it. She had known Manager Choi for 8 years now.
Lastly, Cylo Corporation. Surprisingly, there was no contact from this side.
Honestly, Parang was surprised too. Hadn't she had a good relationship with Cylo so far? They even made her a Diving Suit and gave her a Cellphone.
Besides, the broadcast Parang did yesterday was an achievement capable of surprising even Cylo. In fact, the World Government and the Hunter Association were surprised and reached out to her.
Well, they probably had their own circumstances. She decided not to think too deeply about it.
Anyway, Parang had received calls from two of the three major groups leading the World like this.
And finally.
Parang finally turned on her phone. It was the first time she turned it on since waking up.
Missed calls: (9)
Messages: (3)
Cylo Talk: (77)
Seeing her at the center of the uproarious World, her friends, benefactors, and acquaintances had sent messages filled with worry, pride, and fondness.
First, the missed calls.
Three calls from Yuna, hmm. I feel a bit sorry.
One from the 'Director'.
Five with restricted caller ID.
First, Parang called Yuna.
Ring...
Click.
"Hello?"
Her voice sounded a bit tired.
"Uh, Yuna?"
"Go ahead...."
Cancel that. She sounded completely exhausted. Did she stay up all night?
She decided not to ask. Knowing would only make her feel more guilty.
"I just, you helped me a lot, like a real lot this time. I was so thankful, uh...."
To be honest, she had never received such a huge favor in her life. She didn't really know what to do in times like this.
"Ah, stop. If you're thinking of returning the favor somehow, don't. Getting rewarded for paying back a debt makes me uncomfortable, and more than anything..."
"More than anything, I gained quite a lot from this too."
Parang tilted her head.
Her head didn't really work well when it came to these things. Did Hunter Shin Yuna gain anything this time?
"......"
Even thinking about it again, she didn't know.
While she continued to tilt her head, Shin Yuna cut in first.
"Honestly, I gained so much from the broadcast we did this time. That's also why I called earlier. If it's alright with you, Parang, I'd like to continue cooperating with you from now on."
"Huh?"
Parang jumped up in surprise. No, was it really to that extent?
"Just what kind of profit did you see to go that far...?"
"To summarize it into broad categories, there are three things."
Three things. Regardless of time and place, three is a number that represents perfection and flawlessness.
All things are one as three, and one must rightfully be divided into three.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Rock, Paper, Scissors, and Corruption, Yuri, and No Romance.
Regardless, Parang listened closely.
"Parang. A Production Hunter is essentially a merchant. We make a living by selling what we make to others. And there are two most important things for a merchant. Recognition and reputation."
Parang knew that well too. The more recognition and reputation, the better.
"First is recognition. As many as 200,000 people saw the Artifacts I made and the Broadcasting Equipment working at a depth of 2km."
"Ah...."
"Second is reputation. Right now, in the public eye, Hunter Shin Yuna is a Human who scattered ten A-Rank Artifacts to help the benefactor who saved her life."
Parang finally slapped her forehead.
Wait, no. She stopped just before she did.
"Then what's the last one?"
"No, do you really not know?"
"Not at all."
"It's you. Hunter Yoo Parang."
"Huh?"
Parang let out a dumbfounded sound.
"Don't you get it? A Hunter who gets 3,000 interview requests from a single broadcast, a Hunter who simultaneously receives 45 guild invitations, a Hunter that the World Government and the Association are paying attention to at the same time. I don't intend to end my interaction with such a person just by repaying a favor once. Anyone would feel the same."
Parang finally realized her position.
Looking at them laid out separately, they were things one might just nod along to (not at all), but looking at them all together, she finally felt what kind of situation she was in.
Hunter Shin Yuna continued speaking, still not giving Parang a chance to think.
"So, do you have any intention of seriously collaborating with me? It's a bit awkward to say this myself, but I believe I proved my abilities enough in the last broadcast."
She was right. For a moment, Parang's arms broke out in goosebumps. 'Proved my abilities in the last broadcast,' she said. Just how long had she been looking ahead to this moment?
The lighthearted image she had seen on the broadcast was suddenly nowhere to be found.
Shin Yuna. She was a person who had reached the position of S-Rank in this ruthless society.
And outside the water, Parang was weak to this kind of charisma.
"T-Then, should we meet up and talk...?"
"Sounds good. I'm fine anytime, so please contact me when it's convenient for you."
There was no way she was fine anytime. Didn't that mean she would drop whatever she was doing and come running whenever she was contacted?
She's not an easy person to deal with. Parang thought as she hung up the phone.
Then she checked her next contacts. Three text messages.
They were from the orphanage Director who had taken care of Parang after she was reincarnated as an orphan.
Unlike a typical orphanage director in a Novel, he was a good adult who truly cared for and loved the children, supporting them both materially and emotionally.
Parang, too, would buy an armful of beef and visit the orphanage whenever she had free time even after becoming independent.
Director: Parang, you seem busy, so I'm leaving a text message.
Director: I enjoyed watching your broadcast. You looked happy. That's a good thing.
Director: I will be cheering you on.
At the affection dripping from the blunt text messages, Parang's heart ached with warmth.
Parang immediately called the Director.
Ring... Ring...
"The person you are calling is not available, redirecting to voicemail..."
Oh dear, he must be busy. The Director was someone who usually couldn't answer calls well because he was busy playing with the children.
Parang conveyed what she wanted to say through a text message at least.
- Thank you, Director. I'll come visit you sometime next week.
She would buy not just beef, but chicken, pork, and fish of all kinds, and set up a buffet for the entire orphanage.
And then, the five calls with restricted caller ID.
These weren't contacts she needed to call back.
Parang entered a secret chat room on Cylo Talk.
The room name was simply a single dot.
There were six members. The names were all the default randomly generated ones.
Moody Riding a Bumper Car: &2* I900 5-3 3km Q.
July 28th at seven in the evening, Arctic Ocean Point 3, 3km down, urgent.
Looking at the Clock, it was 3:40 PM.
If it was Arctic Ocean Point 3, even Parang would have to use a Warp Station.
Parang immediately changed her clothes, ran out of the house, dove straight into the water, and headed for Seoul.