Assassins (4)
Basically, I'm just a high school dropout. On top of that, my grades were below average, so I'm way underqualified.
Even someone like me knows that a National Assembly member is a pretty damn high position.
"P-Please calm down, Teacher Ryu.... Violence solves nothing. Instead of making a scene here, how about we grab a cup of coffee?"
"You think I've got the time to sip coffee with a worthless shitstain like you? You really that eager to die?"
"I'm pretty sure I'm older than you...."
A National Assembly member sets the country's policies.
Which means they're basically at the top of the ladder.
The people are the owners of the nation? Bullshit. The ones making the laws are the real owners....
And here one was, down on both knees. His face had drained to a sickly blue—something you don't see every day.
"Feels like you're trying to play word games with me. You really wanna die?"
"I-I'm a sitting assemblyman! You think you can touch me and get away with it?!"
He's right—messing with a sitting National Assembly member is a massive risk.
If it were some Middle Eastern or African politician, maybe not. But roughing up one from Korea, a proper developed nation? You'd get slapped with terrorism charges and thrown in prison.
"Trying to act friendly didn't work, so now you're pissed? Hey, that shit doesn't scare me one bit."
"Let's talk this out...."
But Master didn't give a damn about risks like that.
"Elder! What the hell is...."
"Oh, you're all here? Kneel over there and wait. I'll deal with you punks in a bit."
"Player Ryu Ga-eul! What the fuck do you think you're doing?! This is straight-up terrorism!"
She'd stormed into the headquarters of the party backing the media outlets that had been dogpiling her with criticism, then beat the shit out of every current and former assemblyman inside.
No mercy based on age—didn't matter if they were old or young.
Every one lost at least a couple teeth. The worse cases had broken leg bones, permanent disabilities.
"Why the fuck do all you idiots spout the same bullshit? The people chose these clowns?"
"P-Please don't say that...."
This is where you really grasp how insanely strong Master is: most current and former assemblymen are players themselves.
Sure, the low-level ones. They played back when strategy guides weren’t even a thing yet.
All the Babel strategy knowledge out there? These people went in themselves, wrote the guides, and spread them.
"If we're talking education alone, Master's no different from them."
"I-I'm.... an honorary professor at Naksungdae! Got my PhD in Babel Studies!"
"Big whoop. Big whoop. By that logic, I'm an honorary Harvard PhD."
Finally, after dropping the last one, Master lit a cigarette. Acrid smoke curled lazily toward the ceiling.
"You think you'll get away with this.... Even the president won't be thrilled if the entire opposition ends up hospitalized!"
"The ruling party's watching this live right now, y'know? Don't worry. Plenty of folks ready to take your seats. Time to retire to some rural village and play farmer."
This incident wouldn't leak outside either.
The sitting president and ruling party had greenlit the beatdown.
Still, I had to ask—wouldn't swapping out a major party cause issues?
Master's answer?
"Nah. Politicians of the same stripe will just replace 'em."
"Even so...."
"Hyunwoo, you seem to have some serious misconceptions. The world ain't run by desk-jockeys clicking computers."
Her explanation hit me like a truck.
"Players run the world. They've infiltrated every corner of this country's economy, politics, society, culture. They're the ones holding the money and power."
Spot on. Babel drops can only be farmed by players, and that's what keeps the economy spinning.
Vending machines inside Babel? Shove in cash, get infinite underground resources like oil and rare earths—no pollution.
Tech beyond human science? Can't even use it without high-level players.
"I'm the top dog here, highest level around. You think I won 'Sword Saint' in a bet?"
"No...."
"Good, glad you get it."
So yeah, high level means you can steamroll ex-player assemblymen like nothing.
Build ties with the president even. Hell, no president runs shit without peeking at players' moods.
This is basically shadow ruler territory.
No—straight-up grabbing the country by the balls.
Who knew this was possible. Master....
If you're transcendently strong, you are the order itself.
"I'm tame compared to some. America's got LV.90 players higher than me. One turned the White House into his crib."
"That's allowed....?"
"Guy who can whimsically tank the Nasdaq? Yeah."
Someone who can flood or starve the market on superconductors has the power to paralyze a nation's economy.
That's beyond presidential authority.
Whoa....
I know this ain't right.
But everything Master did today looked so goddamn cool.
Could I get there too? Not riding her coattails as a disciple, but making 'Park Hyunwoo' a name that strikes fear.
Sure, I wouldn't act like her with my personality. But hitting that level? Dream come true.
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"I'll get stronger. As strong as you.... No, stronger than you."
She smirked at that.
"Looking forward to it."
A lot went down.
Probably the most unconstitutional shit since the Korean Constitution was made.
But flip on the news? Not a peep about Master's rampage.
"No fallout at all, huh. Even after turning sitting assemblymen into half-cripples."
"Duh? Which station's gonna piss me off?"
She basically rules Korea—or close enough. This is...
"Nah, not quite. Even I couldn't smack the president or ministers without backlash. I'd have to fight the army."
"Ah...."
"But assemblymen? Piece of cake."
I asked if other players knew.
"Anyone around my level knows. A few even texted congrats."
"Whoa.... Master does networking."
"...That sounds off. I'm human too, y'know. Of course I socialize."
That shocked me more than anything. Master, socializing!
"Weird tone, but I'll let it slide this once. So you wanna be like me?"
"More like, get strong as fast as you."
"Then keep doing what you're doing."
No can do. I'm LV.45—below average.
Like those guys we met before, LV.50+ players are everywhere.
I need to crush them all....
"So, uh, Master. Lend me some money?"
"How much."
"About 100 billion!"
Her face went blank.
"You know you're behind on interest already? You planning to pay back?"
"Yes!"
Probably?
"You're managing my assets and asking to borrow money? The hell...."
"It's your money, not mine. Touching it would be embezzlement."
"...Fine. 100 billion's doable. But when you paying it back?"
I need about 70 billion for gear, but asked for 100 just in case.
"Within three months."
Not planning to, though.
Why's it her money anymore? She lent it—it's mine now.