Chapter 184
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: 169. Do you know Yongyong?
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It's about time to head to Japan.
Truth be told, I was tempted to start with Heungbu's wife first, but if I go too late, Yuzuki might get upset.
I have no idea how to handle the event either.
Rice gets sticky if you let it sit too long.
"Shall we head to Japan, then?"
"I heard Shinohara Yuzuki is in Seoul right now?"
Lee Yoo-jeong dropped a bombshell.
Yuzuki in Seoul?
"In Seoul? Why? Did Kotone come to play?"
Seoul's a popular spot for Japanese portal travelers, after all. Makes sense.
"No, it seems like Yuzuki herself came."
"Not as Kotone, but as 'Shinohara Yuzuki'?"
If she came as Yuzuki instead of Kotone, something smells fishy.
"Looks like an official visit. She's already met with Ha Jeong-seok separately. It's even up on T-Tube."
Lee Yoo-jeong showed me a few videos from T-Tube.
They were all news clips about Shinohara Yuzuki.
Various channels had uploaded them, and it seemed she'd come to improve Japan-Korea relations.
But one video in particular caught my eye.
"Huh? What's this? 'Japan's Leader Shinohara Yuzuki Visits Korea Post Sino-Korean War, Shocking the World!' Yoo-jeong sunbae, you watch stuff like this?"
These kinds of channels have been popping up lately, but no way sunbae watches them!
"I run it."
"Why?"
"It racks up views surprisingly well. And after you became the Sino-Korean War hero, they exploded even more. Turns out it's a decent cash cow."
"Aren't I already keeping you fed? We don't need more money."
I make tens of billions just purifying miasma in erosion zones. Not to mention Cheonsan Group leading the Hwaseong terraforming project—what's the issue?
"Not that kind of funding. Public opinion. Older folks watch these a ton. If I slip in some Baekhwa Church merits or their good deeds in every video?"
"Ah."
The elderly from the Cataclysm era don't have a great image of monsters. Especially Baekhwa Church, the villain group heavy on monsters.
They improved a bit helping in the war, but plenty still hold grudges.
Channels like that could definitely help.
"Especially since Ha Jeong-seok's manipulating opinion to paint Baekhwa Church as just another villain group. Gotta counterattack like this."
"Makes sense. Wait, what's this? 'Why the World Freaked Out at Yoo Eun-ha's Power, Hero of the Sino-Korean War!' No, this is too much."
This one's cringeworthy. Literal goosebumps.
Scrolling further, there was even a thumbnail of me and Pingtao getting pummeled.
What the hell is this even for?
"There's a reason for this too. It'll make foreign media realize Korea revolves around you."
"Oho."
So, basically screwing over Ha Jeong-seok that way.
Makes sense. Even if it was a trap I set, that guy sicced the villain division on me to treat me like a full villain.
"You're the most famous Korean abroad right now. Made in Korean, but targeted at foreigners. Plants the image that you're so amazing, you're reforming Baekhwa Church."
"You've thought this through."
Damn, it really checks out.
"But the cringe is getting to me, so I'll dial it back soon. Others are running similar channels anyway."
"Speaking of, Si-woo, how's Baekhwa TV doing?"
Asking Si-woo, who was tending his sword, he nodded.
"Good. Went to a gate in Seoul recently."
"Not bad. If you two handle it, Baekhwa Church can fully integrate into Korea."
Baekhwa Church can now enter Seoul with checkpoint clearance.
Baekhwa TV's famous for villain cleanups. Now they're expanding to clear Seoul gates.
"Seoul at this timing, though. Hmm."
Is this really tied to the Japan event?
Way off from the original.
Probably the war's fault, but no mention of Yuzuki visiting Seoul.
"Even if it's for Japan-Korea relations, hmm."
Something else must be up.
Then my magitech gear rang.
Caller ID: Association. Probably Choi Cheol-sik.
"Yeah, Association President? What's up?"
[“Hey, Eun-ha. Need you to step up.”]
"Huh?"
Step up what? Don't tell me it's something annoying.
[“Shinohara Yuzuki, visiting now, wants to learn about Korea.”]
"Oh, don't tell me I have to..."
Be her guide?
[“Yeah. Figured you'd be perfect to show her around. You're famous here, right?”]
"Got it."
Yuzuki's toying with me. Protesting me not coming to Japan by summoning me here?
Fine, let's meet. Then figure out how to mess with her in Korea.
Did all the students suddenly get a group snake fetish? Why's everyone rocking snake-eye lenses? Not my thing, can't handle it.
They're real eyes lol
You pussy? Then you'll be our colleague soon ;)
Rather sexy. Wanna try?
Coming for you soon.
My gf's doing it too. No idea why ;;
Poor bastard above lololol already not your girl anymore lol
Been a while since I checked the anonymous board. Looks like Si-woo's been busy.
Most of the posters and commenters seem to be our people already.
Honestly, snake eyes are pretty sexy.
I was messing around on my phone in front of the Hunter Association when I sensed someone approaching.
"Oh, Yoo Eun-ha. Long time no see."
"Hey, baldy."
I waved high at bald Choi Cheol-sik.
"Dressed as Baekhwa Church's leader today?"
My outfit was a gray uniform.
Nothing like Hansung Academy's uniform or dungeon gear—gave off a solid executive vibe.
Can't dress casually for a guide gig, and she's Japan's real ruler propping up a puppet PM.
Gotta show respect.
"Yeah. Gotta match colors to get closer, right? And this is official, not private."
"Fair enough. Adults pushed you into that spot."
Didn't bother me. But his face looked guilty as hell.
Putting the little sister of Yoo Jin-seok at the head of a villain group? Hero image tarnished a bit.
My name's still hailed as a hero, but without direct action, it'll fade.
I'll end up as Baekhwa Church's shadow leader.
It's what I want, but from his view, leaving Jin-seok's sister like this must sting.
"Adults who couldn't even build you a reputation."
"Ouch."
No need to feel guilty. He's bald anyway.
"It's fine. Adults have their reasons."
"At twenty, with your feats? You're more adult than most."
"In this era, not growing up means something's wrong."
Cataclysm era—monsters invading everywhere.
We laugh and chat now, but they're still lurking in the dark, ready to crush us.
Now with Sins appearing, even more so.
"That's her, Shinohara Yuzuki. Seen her on the net or TV?"
Choi Cheol-sik nodded toward her.
She gave me a slight bow.
Familiar from academy, but... different vibe from Kotone. Damn, business suit too? Total office lady fantasy.
Hot as hell.
Gonna need some self-love after guiding today.
Rachel said no touching Magnut till Jin-seok brings shrimp, so jerking off's fine.
"Lady Yuzuki. Hello."
"Yoo Eun-ha, hero of the Sino-Korean War?"
Acting on point. Treating me as Yuzuki, not Kotone, all casual.
Thinks I don't know her?
"Yes. Yoo Eun-ha."
I bowed deeply to the head of state.
Why's she grinning like that? Like she's plotting.
Did she really come for me? Hence the smile?
Suspicious as ever.
"And Baekhwa, leader of Baekhwa Church?"
"Pardon?"
My whole body shivered.
No way she knows? What'd she mean by that?
Glancing, she's still smirking like a sly fox.
Then a fox-masked Shinsengumi guard whispered to her.
"Matriarch. Baekhwa and Yoo Eun-ha are different people."
"Oh. R-Right? They just looked similar."
Phew. Thought she knew for a sec.
"Ha... haha."
Just probing, huh?
"Nice to meet you, Miss Yoo Eun-ha. Leader of Baekhwa Church, who earned merits in the Sino-Korean War and became an Apostle candidate."
"No, that's not..."
She's messing with me.
"Hope we have a good relationship going forward."
"Me too."
The kind where we rub up close and intimate.
"I've visited Korea a few times for summits, but I know little about it."
"Is that so?"
"Could you tell me about Korean food and culture?"
Oho, been waiting for that.
Had the perfect line ready.
"Do you know kimchi?"
Shinohara Yuzuki's eyes chilled.
Yeah, not the move. I'd punch too.
"I know plenty about kimchi already."
"Do you know Yongyong?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Now that intrigues me."
"Follow me."
Thinking it over, I got kinda pissed.
Why am I stuck with this hassle? Clearly schemed to drag me out.
Fine. Time to show her my updated tastes, courtesy of Geum Tae-yang and Kate.
Yongyong's gonna deliver her special spicy kick.
I took her to an ice cream shop.
Naturally, I got mint chocolate.
"Eek. This?"
Yuzuki's face twisted.
"Mint chocolate! My favorite!"
"Ah... haha. Uh. I'll have something else."
Sweat pouring off her—adorable.
"Sorry. But you're Japan's top figure. This won't do, right?"
"No, it's not that. A-Alright. I'll eat it."
Under my pitiful gaze, Shinohara Yuzuki shoved a spoonful in.
She rolled it around, tried to school her face, but it cycled through every human emotion.
"How's the taste?"
"Ta... tasty... yeah."
Forcing the smile, but the grimace showed.
It's good, honestly. Guess fancy Shinohara only eats gourmet—doesn't suit her palate.
"Really delicious. Want the whole pint?"
"N-No. Can't fill up on this."
Oh, dodging like that? Fine.
"Alright. Next, pork backbone soup—my fave."
"Wait, uh... Do we really just need to eat?"
Coming to Korea? Start with mint choco, duh.
Or pork soup? Chicken feet? Blood sausage? Name it, I'll feed her.