Chapter 108: Recruiting Rankers, Climbing the Tower of Trials (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108: Recruiting Rankers, Climbing the Tower of Trials (1)
Climbing the Tower of Trials, an ultra-popular show boasting a 40% viewership rating.
From officials of the Awakeners Association and various guilds to the general public, the show was beloved by literally every age group.
It was a goldmine, to say the least.
'I must... make this a success.'
Kim Da-eun bit her lip nervously.
Nowadays, with people preferring internet broadcasts like ViewTube and Paprika TV over traditional television, the standing of broadcasting stations was shrinking by the day.
Even a 10% viewership rating was considered a massive hit these days.
But with the arrival of the Tower of Trials, an opportunity to turn the tables had presented itself.
Under the massive support of the government and the Awakeners Association, they were able to produce a special program related to the Tower of Trials.
A once-in-a-lifetime, golden opportunity.
KDS had to capitalize on this opportunity no matter what.
And the hidden card that could keep this spark of hope alive...
...was the man sitting right in front of her.
"The mint chocolate here is really rich. It actually tastes exactly like toothpaste. Did they use real toothpaste or something?"
Kang Jinhyuk.
Korea's 16th S-class Player and a man constantly at the center of attention.
Honestly, she had thought casting him would be incredibly difficult.
Yet, surprisingly, he had readily agreed to the meeting.
'Please... just don't ask for an absurd appearance fee.'
Kim Da-eun swallowed hard.
"Um... Player Kang Jinhyuk?"
"Yes?"
Jinhyuk pulled his lips away from the straw.
"As I mentioned over the phone, we just need you to appear on our live talk show tomorrow at 7:00 PM."
"Ah, I know. I just need to briefly introduce myself and share some stories about what I've done so far, right?"
"Exactly. We plan to re-edit and broadcast clips of your major achievements and other scenes from your ViewTube channel, and you can add commentary in between."
In other words, they wanted him to do something like a director's commentary for a movie.
Well, he could just gloss over any sensitive parts.
With a Q&A session afterward, they would easily fill the airtime.
Good.
He had a general idea of what to do.
"Then, shall we talk about the compensation?"
Indeed.
While raising his public profile by appearing on TV was one of his goals...
...the most important thing was, of course, the appearance fee. That was the sole reason he had readily accepted Kim Da-eun's proposal.
As Jinhyuk smiled warmly, a flash of tension crossed Kim Da-eun's face.
"For B-class Players, we offer 10 million won per episode. For A-class, it's 50 million won. S-class Players are budgeted at 500 million won, but if you'd like, we can raise that a bit more."
500 million won.
It was an extraordinary amount for a single appearance.
However, Jinhyuk shook his head.
It wasn't because the amount was too low.
It was just that money wasn't what he needed right now.
"Is it... not enough?"
"No, it's not that... I'd like to be paid in magic crystals instead of cash."
"Pardon?"
"I have a need to extract mana from magic crystals. I heard your station is investing in a magic crystal-related business anyway, so I'd like you to deduct my fee from there."
"I... think that should be fine, but could I call my director for a moment? The method of payment isn't something I can decide on my own."
...Hooked.
"Of course. Take your time."
Jinhyuk leaned back comfortably against the sofa.
Kim Da-eun quickly scurried out of the coffee shop with her phone in hand.
'The answer is already decided anyway.'
They weren't in a position to refuse.
No matter what he demanded, they had no choice but to agree.
How long had he been sipping his drink?
Kim Da-eun, who had gone out to make the call, returned.
However...
...her expression looked slightly dark.
"Did things not go well?"
"Ah... the magic crystal request was approved. We will settle the payment from our underground vault as soon as the broadcast ends, so you can take them then."
"That's a relief."
"But, um... there's one more thing I need to tell you."
Kim Da-eun trailed off, looking troubled. It seemed something had gone awry.
"I'm listening."
"It seems another guest has been scheduled for tomorrow's broadcast. So, I wanted to ask if you would be okay with appearing alongside them?"
"Someone else is coming besides me?"
Surely...
Didn't she say they were in trouble because they had no one to bring on tomorrow?
"Yes, I'm so sorry. It was arranged by the higher-ups, so I wasn't aware of it beforehand."
"Let me make one thing clear first. I prefer honesty over clumsy excuses."
"Pardon?"
Kim Da-eun's eyes widened.
She tried to compose her expression, but it was already too late.
Just as he thought.
A new guest suddenly being added...
No matter how messy bureaucratic work could be, things wouldn't be handled in such a haphazard manner.
Which meant...
"Who is it? The person appearing with me."
"......T-that is..."
How frustrating. Did she not realize who held the upper hand right now?
No wonder the station was going under with this lack of talent.
"Fine. If you won't tell me, I'll pull out."
Jinhyuk stood up from his seat without hesitation.
Naturally, it was Kim Da-eun who panicked.
"R-Representative Hong Deok-pyo! Yes, it's him! When Representative Hong heard that we cast Player Kang Jinhyuk, he insisted on coming as well..."
Hong Deok-pyo?
Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed.
He remembered.
The master of the Black Cloud Guild who had acted up at the banquet and completely humiliated himself.
The tragic protagonist who had served as a stepping stone for Jinhyuk's press conference.
Right, that guy.
'So he pressured the station to let him appear on the broadcast with me...'
Seeing how desperately Hong Deok-pyo wanted to come, he was undoubtedly cooking up another stupid scheme.
Seriously, why were there so many people in this world who couldn't learn their lesson after being beaten once?
Did he still not realize he was out of his depth?
'...Wait.'
Jinhyuk immediately realized the reason.
"Seeing how confident he is, it seems someone else is coming along with Representative Hong."
There was no way Hong Deok-pyo's skills had improved significantly since the banquet.
Although there were ruins and labyrinths that could grant explosive growth, no clear messages had appeared indicating they had been conquered.
Above all, the guy simply didn't have the caliber for it.
In that case...
'It means he recruited some decent powerhouses.'
There was no other explanation.
"Yes, that's right. I heard a few rankers from a large foreign guild are coming with him."
Just as he thought.
An opportunity to gather himself—whose stock was currently soaring—and famous foreign rankers in one place.
Even without Hong Deok-pyo's pressure, it must have been an irresistible temptation for the broadcasting station.
So this was the power of connections in Korea.
How amusing.
The corners of Jinhyuk's mouth curled upward.
"Then, as a fellow guest, would it be alright if I invited a few of my acquaintances as well?"
* * *
The following evening.
Hong Deok-pyo arrived in front of the broadcasting station an hour before the scheduled time.
"Finally, the day has come."
Anticipation practically dripped from his flushed face.
Having finally received the chance to pay back all the humiliation he had suffered, it was only natural for him to be excited.
'Tonight will be the last time I wake up screaming in the middle of the night.'
Even eating out, his stomach would churn at the mere mention of the name Kang Jinhyuk. For Hong Deok-pyo, the day of the banquet was a nightmare he couldn't shake off.
But that was over now.
This time, it was time to pay him back a thousandfold.
It was then.
"Damn it, I get that you're excited and lost in your delusions, but do we really have to come to this tiny speck of a country because of you?"
"Kang Jinhyuk is someone the higher-ups are keeping a close eye on, so it can't be helped. That aside, Representative Hong, don't forget our payment. Since you dragged us all the way to this backwater country, we expect to be compensated handsomely."
A few people with somewhat exotic features approached Hong Deok-pyo.
One was a man with a sharp, viper-like impression, and the other was a woman with long black hair reaching down to her waist.
The two grumbled, clearly displeased about having to come to Korea.
Just then...
...the third and final man spoke up.
"Both of you, shut up. There are reporters here. If you raise your voices and tarnish the guild's image..."
A brief pause.
What followed was a completely emotionless warning.
"I will personally kill both of you with my own hands."
This was no joke.
"......U-understood."
"......Yes."
At his dry, almost mechanical tone, the two immediately swallowed their complaints.
Indeed.
This was exactly what he wanted.
For this revenge, as many as three S-class rankers from the Zhonghua Guild had come.
They had handpicked individuals so powerful that just the three of them could wipe out an average guild.
However, even more important than their individual might was the fact that China's strongest guild had personally stepped in.
The guild boasted tens of thousands of Players.
Furthermore, Namgung Cheon, who stood at its pinnacle, possessed power beyond imagination, earning him the nickname "the walking boss monster."
With such a spectacular lineup, a mere solo Player who insisted on playing alone wouldn't stand a chance.
'Just you wait. You're going to be utterly humiliated.'
A sinister smile played on Hong Deok-pyo's lips.
He believed in beating those who beat him to a pulp right back.
To put the finishing touch on this stage, he had even called a crowd of reporters.
After all, the grand lesson he was about to teach Jinhyuk shortly would be best served with as many eyes watching as possible.
But just as Hong Deok-pyo was snickering...
"What's all this? Why is everyone crowding around like this?"
A familiar figure emerged from the crowd.
It was Jinhyuk.
He's here!
Hong Deok-pyo's eyes flashed.
The Players from the Zhonghua Guild were equally intrigued.
Facing the ranker who was currently the center of attention, they couldn't help but feel curious.
The leader of the Zhonghua Guild approached Jinhyuk.
And just as he opened his mouth to speak...
"So you're Kang Jinhyuk..."
"I don't buy Chinese products."
Jinhyuk cut him off flatly.
"W-what?"
The leader's face contorted with rage.
"You crazy bastard! Do you have any idea who you're talking to?! These are rankers from the Zhonghua Guild!"
Hong Deok-pyo hurriedly tried to defuse the situation.
Ah.
So that's why he was so flustered.
"Are these the guys you were putting your faith in?"
Well, well.
When they said they had recruited incredible powerhouses, he had wondered if they brought some famous rankers.
To think they had brought mass-produced Chinese knockoffs instead.
He had guessed as much from their emblems and attire, but this was far below his expectations.
'Three of them, huh...'
Jinhyuk checked the status windows of the Players from the Zhonghua Guild with a bored expression.
Their stats and unique abilities were barely worth mentioning.
They were at a level where Cheon Yu-seong could easily clean them up on his own.
'The Chinese side is quite disappointing too.'
At least if Namgung Cheon had come himself, it might have been a decent fight. Of course, that was assuming he had grown significantly stronger than when he was in the past Tower of Trials.
"That's enough, Representative Hong. Let me handle this," the leader stopped Hong Deok-pyo.
He was probably mindful of the reporters. His face was flushed with anger, and trying to hold it in must have been burning him up inside.
"Player Kang Jinhyuk. Yes, it's good to be confident. You've achieved enough to warrant it. But don't think you can take on a giant guild all by yourself. Especially not our Zhonghua."
"Hmm. Honestly, I think I'd be more than enough on my own."
But crushing them with raw power was no fun.
What they were most confident in...
...crushing them with that was always the most thrilling.
By the way, they should be arriving any moment now.
Just as he thought that...
Vrooooom!
A black foreign car appeared on the road.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom.
It was an ultra-luxury vehicle rarely seen even in Gangnam. Gliding smoothly as if floating on clouds, the Rolls-Royce came to a stop in front of the broadcasting station.
"W-what is that?"
"Was someone else scheduled to arrive?"
"I didn't expect to see that car here."
The reporters' eyes locked onto the car.
Soon after, the chauffeur stepped out and politely opened the door.
His movements were perfectly disciplined.
Elegance radiated from the simple act of opening the door.
"We have arrived."
And as the passengers stepped out of the car...
"Gasp!"
"N-no way!"
"Everyone, get over here right now! Bring all the cameras! Hurry!"
Everyone standing in front of the broadcasting station could only let out gasps of sheer shock.