Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Media Storm and Expedition Revelations
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Time&Time Newspaper.
The continent's premier media outlet had been incredibly busy lately.
All because of the latest buzz sweeping high society: news about Maple Leaf Tale.
Any article related to Maple Leaf Tale sold out like hotcakes the moment it hit the presses.
People were even passing papers hand-to-hand just to read them.
As a result, Time&Time Newspaper had gone ahead and created a dedicated "Maple Leaf Tale Department."
"Chief! B-big news! Scoop of the century!"
"Pffft! Wh-what? What's going on?!"
A reporter bolted upright from what looked like a dead faint.
His job was to stay constantly logged into Maple Leaf Tale, hunting for story leads.
Something had happened in the world of Maple Leaf Tale, and he'd urgently logged out to rally everyone.
Even the chief, mid-meal, came rushing over in a panic.
"The ranking number one, Fallen Power Warrior, is assembling an expedition party!"
That news carried more impact than anything before it.
It sparked the kind of fervor reminiscent of the old hero party's battles against the Demon King's army—or even hotter.
Even more shocking were the statements from celebrities that followed.
Famous figures announcing their intent to join the expedition.
Of course, hardly any of them were high-level players qualified to participate.
They lacked the skills, but no one could resist the urge to be part of this historic moment.
But the real bombshell came from none other than the Emperor himself.
📰 Breaking News "If I could, I would join the 'Zakum Expedition Party,' but my skills are still woefully inadequate. If possible, I would at least dip a toe into that historic moment. Even if not, I will spare no support." Everyone knew the Emperor had lined up overnight for the third batch of sales.
The imperial family had desperately silenced the press to keep it under wraps.
No matter how popular Maple Leaf Tale was, that story would've tarnished the Emperor's dignity too much.
Instead, it was common knowledge that the Emperor had recently become obsessed with Maple Leaf Tale.
The palace had tried to hide it, but public opinion was surprisingly positive—unlike their fears.
He was being praised as a trend-following Emperor.
Just playing Maple Leaf Tale was enough to make someone likable these days, given its massive popularity.
In that atmosphere, news of the "Zakum Expedition Party" drew the world's attention.
Naturally, people grew curious about its leader, the number one ranker, Fallen Power Warrior.
Demands to reveal his identity flooded every news outlet.
"But figuring out a player's identity is already deemed impossible. Countless info guilds failed to crack Maple Leaf Tale's systems or player data."
Maple Leaf Tale was a world conjured by illusion magic.
That illusion magic was so intricately woven that only a master illusion mage could unravel it.
Naturally, extracting player info required the same expertise.
And illusion mages were rare. No one had ever pursued that path before.
Besides a handful from the Illusion Tower, there were no high-level illusion mages around.
In short, only they could access Maple Leaf Tale's data.
"And the Illusion Tower has rejected every interview request so far, right?"
"No choice. We're storming the place."
"Pardon?"
"Round up all the other outlets and charge the Illusion Tower. We'll get something. Make the calls!"
Reporter's Secret Technique #1: Shove the mic in blindly.
The chief decided to go for the Illusion Tower interview, win or lose.
They couldn't ignore an event drawing this much attention.
"The whole world is dying to know, and the Illusion Tower won't say a word?"
With countless questions about Maple Leaf Tale in tow, the reporters stormed the Illusion Tower.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Haah..."
Reporters swarming the Tower's entrance.
I had no choice but to face them.
I'd ignored interview requests before, but this mob was too big to dismiss without sorting it out.
Seemed the Emperor's comments on the Zakum Expedition had blown it up even more.
"I'll give some brief answers."
!#$#!$#!@$%#!@$#$!#!$#@
The questions poured in the moment I spoke.
Of course, I had no intention of spilling everything.
I just hoped this headache never repeated.
To ensure that, I couldn't indulge their every demand.
"...First, a warning. If anyone demands more than my answers, twists or fabricates my words, or asks unreasonable questions, I'll shut down Maple Leaf Tale because of them. And I'd prefer my personal details stay limited to 'the illusion mage who created Maple Leaf Tale.'"
The noisy clamor died instantly.
Whispers drifted: "As expected from someone unfazed before the Emperor... No ordinary mage..."
"What is the identity of 'Fallen Power Warrior'?"
"We can't disclose any player's identity. The Illusion Tower fully protects user privacy. And practically speaking, there's no way to find out. Next."
I could uncover it, but revealing that wasn't wise.
"We're curious about the boss 'Zakum.' How big an expedition is needed to clear it?"
"That's for players to discover through trial and error. Next."
"His Majesty the Emperor expressed a desire to join the expedition—what do you think?"
"Zakum's level cap isn't that high... but most players won't be much help."
"People are comparing the expedition to the old hero party! Calls are growing for members to reveal themselves and share the raid process—what's your take?"
"As I said, the Illusion Tower neither knows nor reveals player info. It's possible, but up to the expedition players. That's all."
I turned after my canned responses.
The reporters went wild, but my shutdown threat quieted them fast.
The impromptu press conference ended.
"How'd it go, Rye?"
"Gave 'em the basics and sent them packing. Doubt they'll come back. What a pain. Reporters..."
"Other Towers deal with them too. Oh, Galliard stopped by."
"Huh? When?"
Inside the Tower, there he was, seated like he'd always been.
He definitely wasn't there earlier. How'd he sneak in?
"Fooling common eyes is child's play. Climbed the wall to the top. Your Tower's so short, it was easy."
This grandpa was a former hero. Gotta build the Tower taller soon.
"Heard some fun outside."
"Yeah, reporters. Hid your identity, though?"
"Hm? You hid my identity?"
"Yeah. When they asked about Fallen Power Warrior, I covered for you."
"Why?"
"Huh?"
I roughly explained the situation to Galliard.
"I don't get why you'd hide it. A hero's deeds belong in the annals of history."
"...It's just a game."
"Just a game? You denying how great Maple Leaf Tale is? As a former hero, my adventures here feel more urgent than fighting the Demon King's army!"
"That's all still just in a game..."
"-Gal!!"
Whack—
Galliard karate-chopped my skull.
I blacked out for three seconds and came to.
"I tolerate slights against me, but not against Maple Leaf Tale! Calling this magnificent 'game' 'mere'—unforgivable!"
"But I made it."
"Gal!"
"Aaaagh!!"
Clutching my head, I watched Galliard strut toward the main gate imperiously.
He gripped the handle with his burly hand and murmured low.
"...I am Maple Leaf Tale's number one ranker, Fallen Power Warrior. As this world's hero, I have a duty to ease the people's fears and protect them."
Like he was off to slay a Demon King.
Rain and the others gazed at him with admiring eyes.
How deep does their immersion go?
"No, that's your youth story—this is just a game!"
Bang—
Galliard ignored me and flung open the gate.
He bellowed:
"I am Maple Leaf Tale's number one ranker! Faaaallen Poweeeerrrr Waaaarriooor—!!"
His booming roar halted the trudging reporters in their tracks.
"What? Where's that from?"
"Ov-over there... Isn't that...?"
"Huh? That's... Hero Galliard?!"
"Galliard's 'Fallen Power Warrior'?!"
"Scoop!!"
They whipped around and charged at him.
Questions barraged Galliard.
He ignored them all, shouting one thing:
"Once the 'Zakum Expedition Party' is complete, we'll hold an offline meeting. As heroes, we must publicize our defeat of Zakum and salvation of the world to its people!!"
"S-so you'll reveal the expedition members' identities?!"
"When does the raid start?!"
"His Majesty for this expedition..."
Reporters scribbled furiously at Galliard's bombshell.
My head spun at his absurdity.
"That crazy old coot..."
Whatever. His mess, his problem.
I quietly shut the gate.
"Classic Galliard. He loved interviews back in the day—always in the news."
"Attention whore, huh..."
"Less that, more that heroes sharing every move was normal then. To him, it's just standard."
"But this is a game, not reality... Haah, never mind."
I still couldn't grasp this world's mindset after 20+ years reincarnated.
Anyway, word spread of the Zakum Expedition's offline meetup.
The raid planning was set for offline.
The news sent crowds into a frenzy.
The Emperor even offered to host a banquet at the palace.
Thus, the Zakum Expedition drew even greater spotlight.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Haah... That damn geezer's insane!"
Third Prince Rikal crumpled the newspaper and hurled it.
The front page was plastered with Zakum Expedition news.
📰 Breaking News [Hero from the old party, Elf 'Liana,' joins Zakum Expedition. Vows to recreate that day's glory...] 📰 Breaking News [Shock! First commoner joins 'Zakum Expedition'!] 📰 Breaking News [Thief-class user achieves first 4th job advancement—identity an illusion mage?] 📰 Breaking News [Shocking identity of notorious named troll user.] 📰 Breaking News ['Zakum Expedition' recruitment 3 months in—no completion yet. When's the offline strategy meeting?] 📰 Breaking News ['Maple Leaf Tale' named user <Empire's Light>. Why no response to expedition invite?] 📰 Breaking News ['Fallen Power Warrior' Galliard: "Bishop <Empire's Light> is essential for this expedition"...] "Uwaaaah! Offline my ass—!"
Months after the Zakum Expedition news broke.
It had progressed under intense public scrutiny.
Initially, Rikal—as Empire's Light—had planned to join.
The first bishop job-changer and top-level healer, his buffs and heals were vital for such a massive boss.
But Rikal still hadn't joined the Zakum Expedition.
Blame the leader, Fallen Power Warrior—former hero Galliard.
After revealing himself, he'd mandated offline strategy meetings for joiners.
Forcing players to expose their real identities, essentially.
No one complained.
Expedition members were gaining hero-party-level fame.
Heroes were everyone's dream and envy.
With memories of the Demon King war fresh, people saw public heroics as natural.
The concept of gaming "anonymity" hadn't fully taken root.
But not everyone cheered—Rikal least of all.
"I wanna join too...!"
Even so, Rikal lacked confidence to reveal himself publicly.
He dreaded the finger-pointing if Empire's Light turned out to be a mad prince.
(Whisper) Fallen Power Warrior: Jebit, got something to say about the Zakum Expedition. Leave a whisper. (Whisper) GodOfLightningvv: Jebit, join the expedition with me! (Whisper) MapleJammin: Jebit not doing the expedition? . . . . . Logging in brought a flood of whispers.
Invites from expedition hopefuls and questions from acquaintances.
Rikal hadn't replied to a single one.
Days of clashing desires—to join or stay hidden.
"...That could work!"
Rikal thought of the one way to resolve it.
The next day, he headed to the Illusion Tower.