Chapter 22
"Thanks for the shoutout?"
"Well... Sis, you did kinda go too far."
"W-We know she was just telling the truth, but... it probably didn't come across that way to everyone else."
"You were too honest. Don't people know that folks don't wanna hear the truth—they wanna hear what they want to hear? You could've just said something vague like you had some lucky break or spiced it up a bit..."
"Or maybe say that nearly dying in quick succession turned into your growth fuel or whatever."
With her C-rank promotion, Cha Yaeun—super rookie and now stuck with the dubious moniker of 'Cha Yaeun the Deceiver'—vented her grievances to her siblings. But even her family, who knew the full story and were supposed to have her back, couldn't quite mount a defense this time.
No matter how you sliced it... spilling everything right there like that? "I got strong from reading webnovels." Who'd buy that?
『My secret to strength? Reading webnovels!』
Yeah, right. Like people would go, "Oh, gotcha!" If she said she learned martial arts from wuxia novels, would anyone nod along like, "Yep, that makes sense!"? Nah, most would think, "That chick's got a screw loose."
Even if it was the truth, common sense is common sense. Sure, you don't apply normal logic to hunters or gates—but there's a limit. Webnovels? Gaining precious info and powering up from hunter stories? Hell, even her own family, seeing the proof right in front of them in the form of Cha Yaeun herself, still had trouble fully buying it. If they struggled, what chance did outsiders have?
『This girl's just spouting bullshit to trash her rivals.』
『Wasn't that shelter save just for show, stroking her ego?』
『What? Became an expert from webnovels? Might as well say she got into medicine from reading medical manga!』
『Thought she was cool for risking her life to save people...』
『I've been busting my ass to escape F-rank—do I even deserve to see this interview?』
Reactions like that were par for the course.
Even if her intentions were pure—to share the truth—she should've softened it, worded it better. Waited till she had more credibility. If an icon like the Sword Saint or the Association President said the same thing, reactions would've been different. Sure, they'd chuckle "You're joking, right?" but then think, "What if...?"
But this was Cha Yaeun—the spotlight-grabbing super rookie already stirring jealousy—saying it. Truth or not, heroic deeds or not...
"Why? Why? That guy who blocked a knife attack on the subway did the same kinda interview! 'I'd do it like Hero Himmel!' What's the difference between that and me? Why the hate...!"
Cha Yaeun pounded her chest like she was about to die of injustice. Her twin siblings, Cha Yeryeong and Cha Do-eun, just averted their eyes without a word.
"Ugh! Whatever, I'm done! I told the truth. Shared info with good intentions. If they don't believe it, their problem."
She crossed her arms, huffing. Come to think of it, maybe this was for the best. It was wrong for Lebalheonda's greatness to benefit even the faithless heathens who wouldn't believe. Only the faithful deserved its meaningful lessons and blessings.
Why bother with every single doubter? She'd already given them a chance to believe—that was enough.
With that, Cha Yaeun pursed her lips and decided to drop her mission of spreading Lebalheonda's glory and converting the masses. Those who saw its greatness and embraced it on their own? Welcome aboard. But begging the mockers and scoffers? No thanks.
Especially since...
This mess was making Lebalheonda get dragged through the mud—mocked and dismissed. It hurt her heart and filled her with guilt, so she couldn't keep going.
'I only said it with good intentions...'
If it was just her getting flak, fine. But her bible, Lebalheonda, getting lumped in and ridiculed? She felt sorry to the author and pissed at the haters.
Her small consolation?
Even amid the aggro trolls and haters, there were voices agreeing—sincerely or not—with Cha Yaeun's take. And from a gallery bigwig with a named account, no less. It gave her a weird boost, even if it was minor.
Of course, even that post was getting mocked, with more Lebalheonda dismissal. Heartbreaking, really.
'All because of me... the author's getting laughed at, his work trashed...'
How sad would the author be if he knew? Did he resent her now? Cha Yaeun stewed in those worries—but
"Holy shit, this is jackpot."
Yoon Sungjin, meanwhile, was over the moon, practically dancing.
One hand on the mouse, the other sipping coffee, Yoon Sungjin surfed the web with a satisfied grin.
"Finally settling down."
Bliss. That rookie hunter's interview shoutout boosted his visibility big time—readers surged. Great for regulars, sure, but even better? The Association President's toxic stans, "Thunder," had gone quiet.
Thanks to "Cha the Deceiver"'s random aggro, the backlash over the novel's negative guild portrayal got buried. Issue buried by another issue.
The influx of newbies normalized the vibe—Yoon smiled at the fresh waters cleansing the stream.
Not all smooth sailing, though. Felt like getting parent complaints: "My kid's lost in delusions from your fantasy crap, skipping homework—take responsibility!"
'Like I'm dealing drugs?'
Annoyed at catching flak from that immersed reader's ramblings, but Yoon chose positivity.
"Thanks, Hunter Cha."
Bit of a space cadet, sure—but a precious reader who gave free promo. Celeb shoutouts boost sales; this noise marketing worked too. Views up, readers up, revenue up, comments refreshed. Worth a few laughs at his expense.
'Gotta repay the promo with a mass release.'
Cracking knuckles, coffee aside, he dove back into writing. Perfect days.
His past life's webnovel dream fulfilled—not just hobby, but viable career. Success veered a tad off-course, but hey: even antis are fans. The buzz proved it.
Downside? Headaches galore.
"Here we go again."
Spam messages flooding in—contract offers from platforms/managers, early sequel pitches, and creepy resentful weirdos. He'd replied at first; now? Mass delete without a glance.
Among the deleted spam? A message from "Regressor." No clue.
"Need a combat measuring stick to hype the protag's presence worldwide—Japanese or Chinese hunter? Or smash an American one for some national pride? Rival time too..."
Yoon Sungjin rowed onward, crafting his manuscript diligently.