Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Hero (2)
The media went into a frenzy.
I only knew that it had gone into a frenzy and began treating my internal injuries. The treatment was based on circulating my qi, combined with Jimun Seo-saeng's medical care.
During the treatment, Jimun Seo-saeng didn't mention anything about the outside world at all. I also put everything aside and focused on recovery.
The treatment continued for ten days. Although I wasn't completely healed, I had passed the dangerous stage.
It seemed that if I just diligently circulated my qi whenever I had time for another ten days or so, I would fully recover.
Only then did I leave the training room.
Since no one was at the lodging, I went outside and was met with an unexpected scene.
Police officers were stationed around the house, controlling access by outsiders.
In the distance, beyond the access line, reporters were camped out.
As soon as I appeared, I could hear the sound of cameras clicking from halfway up the mountain.
"Cult Leader, your parents are waiting for you."
I went to see my parents first.
As soon as they saw me, my parents greeted me warmly as usual. The Witch, Jimun Seo-saeng, and everyone else were already gathered there.
There, I heard about what had happened during that time.
Most people around the world had witnessed the scene of me dealing with Roisedeur.
The existence of reincarnators was accepted as fact, and intense chaos erupted. It was an issue no one could easily conclude.
The greatest interest was focused on the identities of me, the Witch, So Iryeon, and Cheong Ak-sal.
One day was enough to uncover this.
Our identities were exposed down to the last detail, and somehow they even revealed everything about our lives up to that point.
Even the fact that I had won an award at an art competition in elementary school was made known.
At that time, when we were receiving such concentrated attention that all other news was buried, a rumor circulated in Nigeria.
The person who brought down Baria.
My name was mentioned, and this was soon confirmed as fact.
It was from that point that public opinion changed dramatically.
—A hero who punishes evil.
An American broadcast journalist used these words.
'Jimun Seo-saeng set things up well.'
Jimun Seo-saeng had been involved since the Baria story came out.
He also released my drawings and revealed that I had rescued children in Nigeria.
After ten days, the chaos was still ongoing, but the assessment of me was solidifying.
—The hero who saved us from crisis.
Everything went as Jimun Seo-saeng wanted.
I wasn't the only one who became famous.
"I can't do any schedules for a while now."
So Iryeon and the Witch.
—The two peerless beauties who saved the world.
The Witch's scene of saving people in the fight against the demons was broadcast, and So Iryeon's status as a celebrity acted as a catalyst, creating tremendous buzz.
Especially, So Iryeon received explosive attention when it was revealed that she had been part of the Baria suppression operation.
The media always loves beautiful women, and this translated into popularity.
Cheong Ak-sal also received a lot of attention, but it was nothing compared to the other three.
"We haven't made an official statement until the Cult Leader's treatment was completed."
A family meeting proceeded with Jimun Seo-saeng's words. Even Yuna joined us there.
Yuna had reached the point where she couldn't even go to kindergarten because of us.
"What's with all the police?"
"The Korean government is providing special management. They've been requesting to meet with the Cult Leader."
"So it's ultimately becoming a national issue?"
"It depends on our choice."
We proceeded with the meeting with a basic understanding of the situation.
Before proceeding, my parents spoke first.
"Mom and Dad are okay. Whatever decision you make, we'll support you. Do what you want to do. Just don't do anything too dangerous, and take good care of people."
These were words that could only come out of a moral textbook, but there was no sense of rejection. Because they were words spoken out of genuine concern.
That was the decisive difference from a textbook.
"I'm sorry for making things uncomfortable for you."
"No. Dad is proud of his son. You saved many people through this incident. But it still hurts my heart to see you get injured."
After those words, my parents discreetly left the room.
'They must be having a hard time.'
The two who had lived quietly were receiving concentrated attention. With me and the Witch becoming famous, there was no way there wouldn't be talk about our parents.
"So, what's the first thing we need to decide?"
"The choice regarding the nation."
"What are the options?"
"Korea, the United States, or no government affiliation."
It wasn't an easy matter to judge.
Then Jimun Seo-saeng narrowed down the choices.
"Symbolically, Korea is good, and practically, the United States is good. If you don't like either, you can give up on nations and go your own way."
"Why is Korea symbolically good?"
"The U.S. government will be a cooperative relationship. But we can take control of Korea."
This was what Jimun Seo-saeng had been preparing for all along. The choice became easier.
"You've prepared thoroughly, right?"
"Yes."
"Then start with Korea. The United States already has an owner."
I looked at the Witch beside me.
As everyone's gaze gathered, the Witch said simply.
"The United States is mine."
Even for the Witch, taking control of the United States in one fell swoop was impossible. But the level of cooperation she wanted would be sufficiently possible.
If time passed like that, taking control wouldn't be impossible either.
"Alright, so that's settled. What's the next issue?"
"The issue of reviving the Heavenly Demon Cult."
"You're speaking as if reviving it isn't a given."
Jimun Seo-saeng answered carefully.
"The name of the Heavenly Demon Cult is a double-edged sword. While it has the image of absolute power, it also has the image of invaders."
At the word invaders, So Iryeon and Cheong Ak-sal's expressions hardened. Jimun Seo-saeng continued.
"Reincarnators are revealing their identities everywhere. There will be mentions of the Heavenly Demon Cult, and good things won't be said."
"That's right."
"We can respond either way. The Cult Leader must make the decision."
It was a matter that required careful consideration.
"The name doesn't matter. There was only one reason I tried to revive the Heavenly Demon Cult."
"What was it?"
"To gather the Heavenly Demon Cult members. Because I didn't want them to be hunted."
Now there were no hunters. But the grudges between reincarnators still remained.
"The name of the Heavenly Demon Cult can be discarded. But we must gather the cult members."
The name could be given up, but the people couldn't be abandoned.
When I spoke this firmly, Jimun Seo-saeng also changed his opinion.
"Then I will improve the image of the Heavenly Demon Cult. That's the most rational choice."
"Do that."
"One last thing remains."
"What is it?"
"The direction of response regarding the Cult Leader's fandom."
"Am I a celebrity?"
"There's already no difference."
Jimun Seo-saeng explained the current situation in detail.
Starting with broadcast appearances, there were interview requests from various media outlets, and even companies volunteering to be management agencies appeared.
Corporations promised sponsorships, and some organizations contacted us saying they would pay astronomical tuition fees if we taught them martial arts.
"Only do what's necessary for the plan. Nothing more. Is that settled?"
Everything regarding me was settled.
"Now we must decide on the issue regarding Protector So."
"Why So Iryeon?"
At my question, So Iryeon asked as if she'd been waiting.
"Can I continue being a celebrity?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to."
Then the conclusion was simple.
"Do it. What's the problem?"
So Iryeon's expression brightened at my answer. It seemed she had worried a lot while I was treating my internal injuries.
"Then may we use Protector So as the spokesperson for the Heavenly Demon Cult?"
"So Iryeon, can you do it well?"
"I'm So Iryeon. In front of the camera, I'm the Heavenly Demon."
Jimun Seo-saeng and Cheong Ak-sal shot sharp looks at So Iryeon. They thought she had crossed the line.
"I apologize."
So Iryeon immediately acquiesced.
It was a problem that frequently occurred in our past life too, so I just let it be.
We had been together for too long for me to step in and create a serious atmosphere. This level was appropriate.
"Alright, then let's start according to plan."
"Understood. Lady Yuri, is there anything we can help you with?"
The Witch didn't answer immediately. It was because I was there.
I thought it was time to end the meeting.
"Jimun Seo-saeng will handle the rest. Handle the cooperation with the Witch on your own too."
If I left it at this, they would comfortably exchange opinions with each other.
I left them and went out of the house. I could still feel many people's gazes.
'This is going to be annoying.'
I had always lived a life receiving attention. But the attention in this life meant every move would be made public.
'Should I just subjugate everyone?'
If I pressed down with force, I could do anything I wanted.
—Just don't do anything too dangerous, and take good care of people.
—Dad is proud of his son. You saved many people through this incident.
My parents' words came to mind.
"I received too good a family education."
I returned to the lodging while hearing the annoying sound of cameras.
A week later.
So Iryeon stood in front of the cameras.
The public, whose curiosity had reached its peak during that time, showed tremendous interest in So Iryeon's press conference.
This press conference had several meanings.
Jimun Seo-saeng said it would even influence the moves of reincarnators who hadn't been revealed yet.
During the past week, Jimun Seo-saeng had been busier than anyone. At least his activities were convenient since he was still an unknown figure.
And today, So Iryeon held a press conference on behalf of everyone.
As she entered, a tremendous flash of cameras exploded.
The press conference held at a Seoul hotel's event hall had even more foreign journalists in attendance.
In the press conference hall packed without room to stand, So Iryeon appeared wearing a sky-blue dress suited for spring and light makeup.
"I am So Iryeon. First, I deeply apologize to all the fans for having no choice but to hide my identity until now."
She stood up and politely bowed. It was a slow and deep bow that even gave a pitiful feeling.
'She's doing well.'
I watched from the front corridor where the reporters couldn't see.
"As you expect, I am a reincarnator. I have all the memories of my past life and have learned martial arts. It's true that I participated in the operation to suppress Baria, and it's also true that I stopped their terrorism during the Japan concert."
So Iryeon suddenly made a sad expression and spoke in a lower voice.
"I wanted to reveal it quickly, but I couldn't. Because the hunters belonging to Hunter Hall were killing reincarnators. They tried to kill anyone who was a reincarnator, regardless of who they were or the reason."
The press seats heated up for a moment.
So Iryeon waited until the commotion settled down before continuing.
"The reason we suppressed Baria was because they kidnapped my friend, and I wanted to rescue them. The reason we continued the suppression operation even after rescuing my friend was because we couldn't stand by and watch children suffer."
She perfectly understood Jimun Seo-saeng's instructions.
—All stories based on facts.
This was Jimun Seo-saeng's philosophy. That way, there would be no grounds to refute later.
"We were able to prevent the crisis at Central Park because we had been continuously tracking a mage named Rena. We judged her a dangerous person even before the Russian nuclear power plant was destroyed and tracked her."
As soon as these words ended, the reporters couldn't hold back and asked.
"Who was the tracking entity?"
"Where did you get the information?"
The moderator beside So Iryeon quieted the commotion instead.
"Please ask questions during the Q&A session."
Once they barely settled down, So Iryeon began speaking again.
"I will tell you everything you're curious about. All the information used to track Rena was found by the organization I belong to. This organization continued from our past life and we are still together now."
The press seats exploded again.
"What kind of organization is it?"
The same question burst out from here and there.
In response, So Iryeon spoke with emphasis so everyone could hear.
"The Heavenly Demon Cult."
With this, the name of the Heavenly Demon Cult was revealed to the world.