Chapter 20

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: penny

Chapter: 20

Chapter Title: Buster Call (1)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The news of Skilla's subjugation spread far and wide, featured on every major broadcast channel, with Najoo Tangerine right at the center of it all.

Skilla had ultimately been revealed as a Rank 6 Upper monster, but that didn't diminish his achievements in the slightest.

The channel users, who had quietly worried for him all this time, genuinely celebrated Najoo Tangerine's exploits.

'Hmm.'

In fact, out of curiosity, I'd once checked out Najoo Tangerine's reports myself, and his overall stats were on par with—or showed no significant gap from—other taunt tanks in his class.

Despite contributing to the guild's growth as a cost-effective asset all along, he'd faced all sorts of unfair treatment just because of perceptions. Honestly, it must've been more than just a little frustrating.

'Good for him.'

But there was one thing about Najoo Tangerine we mustn't forget: who the top contributor was to reviving his rock-bottom reputation.

The perfect play that minimized the near-catastrophic damage from the spreading Skilla crisis and even normalized tanker salaries in the market.

As the one ruling an entire city, the dignity and capability I possessed—proven in an instant—were something anyone would have to nod along to.

After leaving that comment on Najoo Tangerine's post, I left the channel and, for the first time in a while, logged into the Archive's Korean public channel.

I hadn't wanted to steal his spotlight for a bit, so I'd planned to kill time browsing other channels.

Click.

Tick.

What else was there to do away from my home channel?

That's right. Ego surfing.

One of my new hobbies since becoming a woman. And it was undeniably addictive.

My notoriety had risen quite a bit lately, so even if mentions of my Clam account were sporadic, there were a decent number of posts.

Times spent savoring each one, basking in the reactions praising and adoring my cuteness.

'...?'

In the midst of my enjoyable surfing, I caught sight of a new post mentioning my account updating right on cue.

But that title looked suspicious.

I tilted my head for a moment, then gave in to irresistible curiosity and clicked the title to slowly read the content.

Serena Lopez.

The New York-born S-Rank hunter and 21st-century superstar with global fame.

Even I, busy gold farming during my orphanage days, knew of her—no explanation needed for her stardom.

'...Sigh.'

I'd done it again.

Because I was too cute and lovable, a national-level hunter tasked with protecting American citizens had fallen captive to SNS, wasting time pointlessly.

Serena Lopez mentioning my Clam account on a famous American talk show when asked about recent interests.

Interest in me surged locally, turning it into a real-time hot topic.

'Hmm.'

Checking my Clam account's growth, clear signs of a second massive surge had started just moments ago.

Her taste in highly rating my cuteness deserved praise, but honestly, it wasn't all positive.

Spotlight from someone of her fame could draw excessive attention suddenly, leading to trouble.

'Clam's security is solid, so no direct dox risk...'

Problems don't always need doxxing. Incidents often start from the unexpected.

"......"

Take one example?

I'm gaining fame on SNS now, and people know my nationality is Korean and my looks.

Yet no one suddenly questions my identity.

To them, I'm just a star influencer somewhere in Korea.

'But...'

In truth, the fuse on the bomb is burning little by little right now.

Nothing says no one at the Association, with access to domestic Awakener databases, won't tilt their head at me.

Nothing says some gossip lover won't inch closer to my secrets.

'Hmm.'

Still, I trusted people.

Modern folks, busy as they are, instinctively shrug off doubts with a "guess so" and some rationale.

No matter how I struggled, the bomb would explode someday.

More likely from mundane reasons than fame-related—military exam, resident registration check, lease expiration, etc.

But this phenomenon could accelerate it.

Not entirely welcome, but what could I do? The root issue was me being too cute and lovable.

'Hmm.'

Not intentional, but spamming random posts led to a new realization.

Lately, channel users' reactions felt lackluster—this approach might draw more satisfying ones?

Mulling pros and cons of a yandere concept and future plans, I snapped back to my original goal and checked the account's growth trend.

'...Well, keeps climbing, so feels good.'

But remember: they're Serena Lopez fans, not my devotees.

Forget that, and I'd invite unnecessary hardship.

Most new followers reacted positively, but big fandoms have dark sides.

Bragging my account would boom thanks to Serena, treating it as family honor while subtly devaluing me.

And most glaring: subtle pressure on why I wasn't following Serena back, as expected.

'Hmm...'

Why should I?

Sure, I'm interested in Serena Lopez, no negativity there.

But I'm not recruiting a dungeon raid party—what's an S-Rank got to do with my SNS?

"Ah, jeez."

Channel owner Shin Yi-rin and mere famous S-Rank hunter Serena weren't equals.

At least not to me.

But those who could accept that wouldn't post such rudeness to begin with.

Yeah, yeah.

I knew it would come to this.

Watching the fools cross the line, I resolved to punish their sin of challenging divine authority with bloody retribution.

Buster Call, activate.