Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Refusing Sacrifice
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A Black Gate appeared in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Naturally, an evacuation order was issued to the citizens, plunging the city into chaos.
It had been less than a month since the Go Yohan incident.
The repeated emergence of Black Gates.
“We’re… we’re all going to die….”
People were finally starting to grasp the reality of the Black Gates.
But this was merely the beginning.
–The Sanctuary Alliance must not act rashly.
An order came down within the Sanctuary Alliance, instructing them not to move on this Black Gate.
Similar messages reached other guilds close to them.
–The Divine Alliance will stand by and observe.
The Divine Alliance also stepped back, declaring they would not intervene in the Black Gate.
“Crazy bastards…!”
“Is it because of Go Yohan?”
The political sphere, viewing it as a form of protest, moved first.
–Immediately! The Divine Alliance, not to mention the Sanctuary Alliance, must step up in this crisis! This is a national emergency, and players must fulfill their duties!
Political maneuvers poured out daily.
The political power still held significant sway in Korea, so threats from corporations to pull advertising had no effect.
–You must act now!
Despite such warnings, neither the Divine nor the Sanctuary budged.
Thus, the first day passed.
As the second day began.
–We’ll all die like this!
–Please! Please help us!
The politicians began dragging in the general public.
The Mapo area was paralyzed by the Black Gate.
Students couldn’t go to school, and small business owners couldn’t open their shops.
–Please! Divine or anyone!
The arrows of chaos pointed toward the silent mega-guilds.
–What the hell are they, ignoring the people like this?
–What is Korea doing? What is the Association doing!
Pretext.
It was the ploy of the politicians, and even if the crisis resolved well, it seemed the Divine and Sanctuary would suffer irreparable damage.
In an atmosphere ripe for a hearing, the Divine spoke first.
–I am Go Woojin, known as the Golden Knight.
A few days prior, Go Woojin, who had informally become vice-guild master, held a press conference and spoke.
He boldly ignored the flood of questions.
Until now, the Divine hadn’t stayed silent out of weakness.
–I will speak clearly about this incident.
They had simply tried not to.
–The reason the Divine is not stepping forward is because the target is a Black Gate.
–What do you mean?
–The Black Gate is something even we in the Divine cannot take lightly. According to Renel, who provided assistance, the demon in this Black Gate is judged to be at least fourth-rank.
The demon classifications had been announced by the Sanctuary Alliance not long ago.
If it was fourth-rank.
–Level… 700!
Cries of alarm erupted here and there.
–If we recklessly enter the Black Gate now, it’s clear that the Divine and all accompanying players would only suffer pointless sacrifices.
–What does that…! Even so, shouldn’t you step up to protect the citizens?
Go Woojin turned to the reporters with an expressionless face and said.
–Yes. We could do that.
–……?
–To close this Black Gate, we anticipate losses of at least three thousand ranker-level players. Even so, we could do that.
–…….
Silence descended.
–Then what about the next Black Gate?
–Th-that…
–And the one after that?
No one could open their mouth.
–It will end someday. However, until we can predict when, the Divine cannot move before the worst occurs. Moreover.
For the first time, strength entered Go Woojin’s voice.
–As long as there are those who ignore ways to minimize casualties.
–That’s…!
–Do not demand sacrifices. A player’s duty is voluntary. Neither you nor the nation have taken responsibility for players.
In truth, there had been little consolation or compensation for fallen players.
They had always turned a blind eye.
Simply because players earned more than ordinary people, their responsibilities were taken for granted.
But it must not be forgotten.
–One more thing: The Russian and U.S. governments have requested the Divine Guild’s relocation. They’ve promised full support and backing for all guild members, along with complete autonomy.
–W-wait a minute!
–The Divine will actively review this. And that is…
Go Woojin stood and said.
–Based on the ‘freedom’ granted to us.
It was a bombshell.
–Do not demand sacrifices. Not even those who willingly step forward.
That ended the press conference.
“What the hell!”
The politicians were driven mad.
“These Divine crazies must’ve eaten something wrong!”
Every conference was a nuclear detonation; one might think there was something wrong with their bloodline.
*
*
*
“…….”
Go Yohan rarely wore a baffled expression.
“Ha.”
He had heard about the press conference.
It was Go Yohan who had told the Divine not to step forward.
That wasn’t for his own sake, but truly to prevent meaningless deaths for the Divine and players.
Up to that point, Go Yohan’s involvement ended there.
“…Hyung-nim.”
No.
“I didn’t expect them to go that far so boldly….”
The Divine’s declaration.
It went beyond bold—it was radical.
He had thought they’d stay moderately silent and step back as always, but they played the strongest card.
There were plenty of ways to make an issue of the Divine’s defiance.
Over the years, politicians had crafted various laws to coerce players.
But the key was.
‘Power.’
Whether they had the power to enforce it.
‘Justification.’
Whether they had the justification to mobilize people for it.
And if asked whether that existed in this land now, the answer was no.
“…….”
Even though the Divine had stepped up like that, Go Yohan wasn’t simply pleased.
He wore a bittersweet, regretful smile.
“…If it’s about becoming the villain, I’m enough on my own.”
The Divine—no, they—had essentially declared they’d gladly walk the villain’s path their bloodline had to tread.
And even before that day ended.
–I am Choi Ji-oh.
Choi Ji-oh, guild master of Jio Guild, stepped onto the podium himself and said.
–…It’s shameful and lamentable. But it must be acknowledged.
Everything hit like a storm.
If before it had been external to Korea.
–Jio Guild fell to the demon’s temptation. Biren Guild did the same. As someone present, I saw it all. My testimony will hold not a shred of falsehood, and even if we admit falling to the demon, we’ll gladly pay the price for endangering so many.
It was a storm raging from within.
The media, watching it all.
–Go Yohan.
Spoke for the public.
–Release him.
*
*
*
The President of Korea, Min Jun-hyuk, said.
“Guild master. Did I do something to offend you?”
Anxiety and anger he couldn’t hide laced his seemingly mild tone.
“Or do you want me to become the second president impeached in Korea?”
Before him.
“…….”
Go Jaehan stood expressionless.
Guild master of Korea’s number one guild, Divine.
The first player in Korea to earn the epithet of king, and before Divine was a guild, he had long ruled as part of a chaebol family.
“…Just.”
Min Jun-hyuk knew shouting wouldn’t work on him, so he appealed.
“Couldn’t you have said one word?”
If they’d given prior warning before exploding like this, he wouldn’t have lost face so badly.
“…I truly regret becoming president.”
“Then step down now.”
“Words like that! Words like that… aren’t what you mean.”
Min Jun-hyuk clutched his face at Go Jaehan’s single remark.
“What the hell is this in my term? Russia, America… not just China, Europe…”
Min Jun-hyuk said.
“Everyone’s pressuring Korea. At a time like this, Divine won’t stand with us, but talks of sedition.”
His face showed genuine betrayal.
“My son is trapped in the Black Room. Ah, you wouldn’t know.”
Go Jaehan rarely showed emotion.
But now.
Rumble!
His rage was palpable.
“Whether the Black Room even exists.”
“…….”
“Others warned first, not me. And out of past ties, I passed on Guild Master Choi Ji-oh’s testimony.”
“That… there was no explanation about Gu Seunghun…”
“I gave you plenty of chances.”
His intent to say no more was clear.
“…You know.”
Min Jun-hyuk said.
“My failure to manage subordinates. My fault, my incompetence letting the opposition run wild. I admit it all. And when this crisis ends, I’ll quietly finish my term and retire. But.”
An indelible emotion rose on Min Jun-hyuk’s face.
It resembled humiliation, anger, fear.
“…It’s the Association’s matter.”
“…….”
“Even as this nation’s president, I can’t do anything about it… You know that well? They… those things…”
“That’s why.”
Go Jaehan said.
“This is the only chance. The sole chance to escape the Association’s grasp.”
“…Your son?”
“That kid.”
Thud.
“Do you see him only as my son?”
“…What the hell is Go Yohan? Truly unrelated to Divine? According to the NIS…”
Min Jun-hyuk clutched his face again.
Information from the NIS tossed like scraps.
The more he compiled the reports, the less sense it made.
It wasn’t something a mere 20-year-old youth could be.
“I don’t know either.”
–……?
“I won’t tell you even if I knew, and you wouldn’t believe me if I did.”
“…….”
“My son. That much is unchanging truth.”
Min Jun-hyuk shook his head, looking at Go Jaehan.
“I’ve staked my life. You take responsibility, guild master. Tomorrow.”
Finally.
“Go Yohan will be released.”
The President of Korea said.