Who Exactly Is Choi Junseok? (1)
The appearance of a diamond-grade player named Choi Junseok sent shockwaves through the player community, a society that had long resembled a rigid class system.
“Just what kind of ability did he awaken to receive that kind of treatment?”
“He must have been given some special item by the Player Management Agency. There’s no way his emotions are actually unreadable.”
“Has anyone ever climbed a tower with Choi Junseok and his teammates?”
“Even the Five Great Guilds can’t confirm his affiliation?”
“Does that mean he’s the government’s unofficial strongest player…?”
Those rumors and speculations inevitably converged on a single thought.
“Don’t tell me he’s Function?”
Yet the theories of the highest-ranking players were shattered by one undeniable fact.
“If Choi Junseok were Function, then what about his two teammates?”
When evaluating Choi Junseok’s teammates, one sentiment was shared by nearly every male player.
“I’m so damn jealous…”
After all, his teammates weren’t just S-grade—they were SS-grade and S-grade respectively.
An SS-grade, an S-grade, and an unreadable grade. Their very existence lent weight to the theory that the government was secretly nurturing elite players.
While tower climbing and player affairs had largely been left to the private sector, it wasn’t impossible for the National Intelligence Service or the Player Management Agency to have their own operatives. In fact, it would have been stranger if they didn’t.
Given the current situation, most assumed the government had finally revealed the players it had been hiding.
The Player Management Agency had anticipated this reaction. In fact, everything was unfolding exactly as they had planned.
That was why Team Leader Kang Jinsu immediately followed Lee Jiyu’s vehicle to her photoshoot location.
Lee Jiyu sensed at once that the man stepping out of the tailing car was from the Agency. Lee Nayeon’s reaction made it obvious.
“I’m Kang Jinsu from the Player Management Agency.”
“Hello.”
Lee Nayeon had already detected his vehicle following them with her sensory abilities.
“You two know each other?”
At Lee Jiyu’s question, Lee Nayeon nodded.
“He’s someone who assists Lord Choi Junseok.”
“Ah…”
Lee Jiyu nodded as if that explained everything.
“We’ll start with Nayeon’s makeup first… You two can talk separately in the meantime, right?”
“Of course.”
“Phew, finally a moment to breathe.”
In a corner of the photoshoot set, Lee Jiyu and Kang Jinsu sat in folding chairs, watching the bustling crew prepare the equipment from a distance. With cups of coffee in front of them, Kang Jinsu nodded in agreement.
Neither of them had caught a proper break over the past few days, constantly running from one place to another.
“If you’re in charge of Choi Junseok’s case, it must be exhausting. You’ve probably had a few brushes with death, too?”
Kang Jinsu let out a small laugh and shook his head.
“Surprisingly, there hasn’t been much risk of death… though I’m not so sure anymore. Now that Choi Junseok is starting to show himself in the player community.”
Lee Jiyu merely shrugged, as if that wasn’t her concern. Kang Jinsu cut straight to the point.
“You’re the only one who knows Junseok’s true identity, Jiyu.”
“Oh my… Did you come here to threaten me?”
“It’s not a threat. It’s simply a fact.”
“If that’s the case, why not just move Junseok into the Player Residential Village? Why go out of your way to—”
“Why stir up trouble, you mean.”
“You really are quick on the uptake. Must be because you’re an elite.”
“……It’s a simple reason. I’m sure you’re aware of the current atmosphere in the player community.”
“……It’s a mess.”
Kang Jinsu nodded.
“We’ve publicly stated that we caught the terrorists, but the anxiety that another attack could happen at any moment is still widespread.”
That was only natural. Buildings had been destroyed, and players had been gunned down alongside their families. Everyone was connected through at least one degree of separation.
“There have been many questions about the Player Management Agency’s ability to manage and protect players.”
Lee Jiyu nodded honestly and without hesitation. Sitting with her legs crossed in leather pants, she leaned back and watched Lee Nayeon approaching from afar.
The time spent on makeup and hair had been short. It was almost as if they had simply thrown clothes on her and given her hair a quick touch-up. The makeup artist had clearly decided nothing more was needed.
“Wow… She’s a goddess. An absolute goddess.”
Kang Jinsu nodded expressionlessly, though it was clear he agreed.
“My eyes never lie.”
She was wearing Super Sonic brand sportswear that perfectly accentuated her toned, slender figure. Even without any photo editing, her visual was already complete. In fact, adding edits would only diminish her natural charm.
“It’s not even a custom-tailored piece… and she still looks like that.”
“Director, we’re ready to start shooting.”
“Alright. Ah, this is Nayeon’s first shoot, so please take good care of her.”
“……You’re saying a model like her has never done a photoshoot before?”
“Yes.”
“I was sure she was a professional… Where did you find such a raw gem?”
Lee Jiyu nodded, already satisfied with what she had seen.
“Shall we continue this conversation while we have a smoke?”
It wasn’t the kind of discussion to have in the middle of the set. Once they stepped into a more secluded area, Kang Jinsu asked,
“Have you ever used an appraisal skill on her?”
“No?”
“She’s reached SS-grade.”
“……Huh? SS-grade?”
“Yes. It’s real.”
“Has there ever been an SS-grade player before?”
Kang Jinsu turned his head, exhaling cigarette smoke as he spoke.
“They’re rare, but they’ve existed in player history. Items that raise one’s grade do exist. There are fewer than ten such cases worldwide.”
“Wow… And with that visual too? The player community is going to go crazy.”
“I don’t know about her looks, but what do you think players will make of an unidentified SS-grade, an S-grade, and Choi Junseok with an unreadable grade?”
“You’re asking how they’ll react to suddenly appearing powerhouses who were never reported before?”
“Exactly.”
Questions about the Player Management Agency’s capabilities would subside somewhat.
“They’ll think the government has been secretly training elite players all along.”
“That’s right.”
“Isn’t it dangerous for Function’s identity to be revealed?”
“There’s no reward without risk. That’s my biggest concern too, but as long as the information that they operate as a trio spreads, it shouldn’t be easy. After all, Function always worked alone.”
Lee Jiyu nodded.
“Also, the only person who knows about Function is you, Player Lee Jiyu.”
“…How terrifying. If Function’s identity gets exposed and I have no idea what’s going on… does that mean I’m in danger too?”
“If your alibi isn’t clear enough, that could happen. But you don’t need to worry too much. If we had judged there was even the slightest risk, we would have already eliminated—”
“Okay, that’s enough. I’ll just live as an idiot. Don’t worry about it.”
“Then we’ll be counting on you to take care of things at the Player Residential Village. Things are going to get quite noisy because of those three.”
That evening, Team Leader Kang’s prediction proved exactly right.
An unidentified diamond-grade player whose grade couldn’t be appraised. Not only was he accompanied by an S-grade player, but now an SS-grade player had been revealed as Choi Junseok’s teammate.
“How was the shoot?”
“Well… Yes. I’m not sure if this is right, but I’m back.”
As always, the moment they entered the fine dining restaurant, the staff loudly announced his diamond-grade status from the entrance. The head chef personally came out to greet him, thanking him for visiting again, and escorted them to their table.
And that wasn’t all. Every time a dish was served, the chef personally explained it while serving. Naturally, the paired wines were of the highest quality. Choi Junseok didn’t know much about wine, but he enjoyed it leisurely at the mention of “top-tier.”
He paid no attention to the stiff expressions of the other top-tier players seated nearby.
“SS-grade?!”
Someone couldn’t hold back and began coughing after swallowing their food wrong. The moment their startled companion appraised the woman beside Choi Junseok—
“SS…grade……”
Everyone was left stunned by the manifestation of a grade they had never seen before. Even Yu Junhyeok, who had supposedly cleared the Incheon Magic Tower, had only been S-grade. SS-grade was a rank that could truly shake the entire player community.
“SS-grade was even possible?”
In an instant, another rumor began circulating through the Player Residential Village.
“The government definitely had hidden human weapons.”
“And they’re far from weak.”
The government’s image, once buried in the dirt, was instantly restored through its influence over the Player Residential Village and these three unidentified powerhouses presumed to be state-affiliated players.
While this part had gone according to the Player Management Agency’s plan, the remaining issue lay ahead.
These three unidentified players from the government’s dark side. One thing was certain no matter who looked at them.
At the center of the trio was Choi Junseok, leading both an SS-grade and an S-grade player. That alone had already turned Choi Junseok into an unidentified superhuman in the eyes of the player community.
“If he’s walking around with an SS-grade as a teammate, just how strong is he?”
“Has any three-person team set a new tower record?”
“There’s no one who’s climbed a tower with those three? They must only form teams with unofficial government players.”
“Of course. The government wouldn’t just sit back and watch after leaving everything to civilians.”
“It’s common knowledge in academic circles that when players register, they secretly recruit exceptional talents as unofficial players.”
“I heard there are players who received similar offers.”
“There could be government-affiliated players mixed in among us. Watch what you say.”
“Ha… By the way, those two women were insanely pretty…… So damn jealous. Choi Junseok. Is there any way I can join the government too?”
Above all else, the male players envied Choi Junseok because the two women following him were exceptionally beautiful. Being a government-affiliated player didn’t particularly appeal to them—they already enjoyed the highest status, authority, income, and fame available to players.
But even so, they didn’t have stunning beauties following them around like personal aides.
At the same time, that interest sometimes twisted into jealousy and envy toward Choi Junseok. The jealousy reached its peak when Lee Nayeon’s Super Sonic advertisement began airing, as if it had been waiting for the perfect moment.
Suddenly, the internet and media began spotlighting Lee Nayeon. Whenever she ate or visited the gym, people approached her for autographs or flirted with her at a rate of two or three per hour.
“Just who the hell is Choi Junseok to be walking around with those two women by his side 24/7?”
At the same time, an even more chilling rumor spread through the player community.
Choi Junseok and the two beauties were sharing a single diamond-class room as their accommodation.
In that moment, Choi Junseok’s position among the top-tier players was solidified. And at the same time, one question lingered in their minds.
“Who exactly is Choi Junseok?”