Even the Players Had Eyes
The players weren't blind. They could easily estimate just how powerful Idergo's Plague Fleet was. Dozens of massive warships, with every single crew member looking stronger than an elite... It was an overwhelming force that no one would dare to face!
People who watched the footage discussed just how strong the Plague Fleet was. Compared to the ocean boss monsters that had appeared in the past, what level were they at?
If Tae-hyun or anyone who actually knew the truth had heard this, they would have scoffed at the absurdity. Yet, surprisingly, the Archisus Church actually had a decent public image. This was because they had fought so many evil god cults. Since they participated every time a major continental quest popped up, it was only natural for the players to view them favorably!
If you asked players who weren't members of the Archisus Church, their first response was usually, "Ah, that cult led by Kim Tae-hyun? The one that fights demons all the time?"
This was the exact opposite of what actual members of the Archisus Church said, who constantly complained about it being "the cult where everyone but me is lucky" or "the cult where RNG is everything."
Those who weren't participating predicted a massive exodus from the rescue team, but surprisingly, no one was leaving. While they were certainly blinded by greed, there was a more pressing reason.
'The enemy is strong, but we aren't weak either.'
'Look at how many ships we have in this rescue fleet.'
From Chairman Yoo's fleet to the rescue teams mobilized by various guilds to join the operation, the numbers were overwhelmingly on their side. It felt like a waste to just back down now.
Besides...
'We don't even have to defeat all the enemies, just save Kim Tae-hyun, right?'
'As long as we get Kim Tae-hyun out...'
'While everyone else is fighting, we can just grab Kim Tae-hyun and run!'
Indeed. Everyone shared the exact same hidden motive.
'Kim Tae-hyun won't just sit still either. He'll definitely try to break out, so it shouldn't be too hard.'
'If we're lucky, we might even clear this without lifting a finger.'
"Senior, do we really have to do this?"
"Then who else is going to do it?"
"...No, but seriously, this is so unrewarding!"
Jo Chang-uk, an entertainment reporter, grumbled. He could understand staking out or going undercover for an exclusive scoop. If it was to dig up entertainment industry gossip, it was a necessary evil. But that was only rewarding when it yielded results. The place he was currently stationed at was guaranteed to yield absolutely nothing.
...Right in front of Team KL's lodging!
Since the security inside the residential complex was incredibly tight, preventing any outsiders from entering, they had no choice but to camp out at a nearby cafe, waiting to see if any Team KL players would show up.
His senior colleague, Song Dae-seung, clicked his tongue and lectured him.
"Are you saying that because you don't realize just how popular Kim Tae-hyun is right now?"
"No, I know."
Jo Chang-uk was well aware of Tae-hyun's popularity. It was literally sky-high! Among esports players, his popularity was completely unrivaled. With domestic gaming teams practically wiped out except for Team KL and Yuseong Gaming, his outstanding performance made it impossible for him not to be popular. In fact, both reporters were fans of Tae-hyun. It was only natural for anyone who loved Pan-On.
"My point is, Kim Tae-hyun is a player who never leaks anything. It's a waste of time."
"......"
Among reporters, Tae-hyun was famous. He was a man who never gave them anything, no matter how long they waited! In the past, some reporters had camped out to dig up a scoop, but even they had eventually shaken their heads and retreated.
'Does this guy do nothing but eat, work out, and play games?'
'He never goes outside! He must be a lunatic!'
Knowing those rumors all too well, Jo Chang-uk felt this stakeout was completely pointless.
"I think it'd be better to just go back to the office and write an article. I've already thought of a good headline: 'Kim Tae-hyun Found Breathing in His Lodging...'"
"Yeah, yeah, I understand how you feel. Kim Tae-hyun really is a player who never gives us anything."
"......"
"But every player has a private life, and there's always a first time. We're staying here with the faith that we'll catch that first time."
'What kind of nonsense is that?'
Jo Chang-uk cursed inwardly at his senior's serious tone. If nothing comes out, we should just go somewhere else. What do you mean, "faith"...
"If we land a scoop now, when interest is burning hot because of the Pantheon World Cup, our names will be engraved in the company's history forever. Got it?"
"I don't really care about leaving my name in the company; I'd rather they just pay me more."
"...Shut up and keep watching."
Creak—
"?"
The cafe door opened, and as a familiar-looking face walked in, Song Dae-seung blinked. Who is that? Where have I seen him?
"What's wrong?"
"No, I think I've seen that person somewhere before...?"
"Isn't he just an office worker?"
"...Gasp!"
Song Dae-seung groaned as realization struck him. That man was definitely from the Yuseong Group Chairman's Office. He had seen his face when he visited their headquarters before. The Yuseong Group Chairman's Office was an elite core group consisting only of the brightest minds who directly assisted the group's chairman. For reporters who had to walk on eggshells around major conglomerates, they had to bow and scrape even before a low-ranking employee from that office. The man before them was clearly no low-ranking employee; he held a decent position. Why would someone from such a place be here?
"He's from the Yuseong Group headquarters!"
"R-really? How do you know someone from a place like that, Senior?"
"I only saw his face from a distance! I have no idea why he's here."
Song Dae-seung, who had been flustered, realized there was no reason to panic. After all, the other party didn't know who they were.
"Let's just act natural so we don't look suspicious."
"Understood."
The two sipped their coffee, trying to look elegant.
...Until the cafe door opened and Tae-hyun walked in.
"Pffft!"
"Pffft!"
The two spat coffee right into each other's faces.
"???"
The man from Yuseong stared at the two reporters and slowly moved to another seat. He didn't suspect they were reporters, but he clearly thought they were weirdos.
'Damn it!'
Song Dae-seung cursed himself inwardly. To blow an opportunity like this...!
"S-S-S-S-Senior...!"
"I'm watching too!"
The two whispered in shocked voices. Tae-hyun was talking with the man from Yuseong Group. This... this was an incredibly massive piece of news they had never anticipated. They had hoped Tae-hyun might spark a dating rumor, but this was dozens of times bigger!
"Isn't... isn't this that?? A scout?? Transferring to Yuseong Gaming next season??? Ah, as a Team KL fan, it'd be a bit disappointing if he went to Yuseong Gaming..."
"Is this the time to worry about that! I'd be disappointed too... but I don't think it's a transfer!"
"?"
"No matter how great Kim Tae-hyun is, if they were scouting a player, they would have sent someone from Yuseong Gaming. Why would someone from the Chairman's office show up?"
"!"
"Could this... could this be... an acquisition of the entire team??"
"D-does that even make sense? Do you know how much Team KL is worth right now...?"
"For Yuseong Group, that's pocket change."
"K-Kim Tae-hyun would never accept something like that!"
"You never know how things will turn out in this world, kid!"
"No, that's a bit..."
Tae-hyun wore a troubled expression. He had stepped out after receiving a message from Kim Tae-san saying, "Hey, Chairman Yoo is sending someone over!" only to find a team leader from the Chairman's Office waiting with a gift. The team leader then spoke in an incredibly earnest and desperate voice.
"If you escape, please, please come to our Chairman's ship."
"I'd like to do that too, but as I said, I don't know how things will play out."
'I haven't even made an escape plan yet!'
"Our Chairman is quite old and in poor health right now. If he fails this quest, he might end up bedridden... *sniff*. He was so worried that he couldn't even log in today..."
"......"
'Is he really playing the age card? That's so cheap.'
The team leader dabbed at his tears and smoothly pulled out a document.
"Ah, by the way, I also brought a commercial proposal from Yuseong Group. For the players of Team KL."
"...Wait, but you have Yuseong Gaming!?"
"Wouldn't it be twice as good to have both Yuseong Gaming and Team KL do the commercials?"
"No..."
It was absurd, but for Team KL, there was absolutely no reason to refuse.
'The old man must have a massive amount of pride riding on Yuseong Gaming...'
Chairman Yoo was deeply affectionate toward Yuseong Gaming. He loved them so much that even if their performance slipped, he would never have offered a Yuseong Group commercial to Team KL. For such a man to offer a Yuseong Group commercial to Team KL... just how desperately did he want to clear this quest?
Tae-hyun's heart softened slightly.
"Alright. Tell the Chairman that if I escape, I'll head to his ship if possible."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
The two shook hands and parted ways. Seeing Tae-hyun return to the lodging, Cain asked curiously,
"What did you talk about?"
"They want us to shoot a commercial for Yuseong Life Insurance."
"Ah, I see... Wait, WHAT?!?! Where did you say?!?!"
Cain screamed in shock. This wasn't just any ordinary commercial.
"There's bound to be a massive clash."
Tae-hyun whispered to the players on the ship. The players nodded. Thanks to gaining their freedom, they could steer their ship and move among the fleet, but... this was merely the calm before the storm.
"Lord Tae-hyun, should I go and plant some bombs?"
"Hallus, do you know you've been really weird lately?"
"No... planting bombs would be difficult."
First of all, it would be hard for anyone else to plant bombs, and it was highly doubtful they could pull it off and escape safely. If they got caught after planting bombs on just one or two ships, they wouldn't even break even.
"For now, let's start by summoning the ghost fleet with this artifact."
"...?!"
It was a powerful weapon capable of using a summoning skill.
"...But you're not even a pirate. Where did you get a weapon like this?"
"He probably stole it."
"Through PvP."
"......"
"I did not!"