The Hero of the Spice Islands Overwhelms Humanity's Nightmare, the Orcs
The Korean media exploded with articles the moment I finished my promotion match, as if they had been waiting for it.
Not all of them were positive, of course.
Ninety percent of the comments were pure profanity. A few scattered posts criticizing me or defending the three major guilds appeared like beans in a drought, but they gained zero sympathy.
The international community was paying just as much attention.
“Mr. Yu is already operating on another level that transcends ranks, they say.”
“Analysis of the combat power he displayed against the orcs on the 46th floor puts him at Diamond-rank or higher.”
“It won’t be long before he becomes a ranker, will it?”
“It’s practically confirmed. It’s only a matter of time before Yu Jinho becomes a ranker.”
“After the Gate Incident, they say that strong players are national power. This is no small matter.”
“That transformation ability and summons on top of it… Honestly, I can’t even guess where his limits are.”
Famous American commentators and analysts were united in their praise of my abilities.
William Rockefeller clicked his tongue as he read through the flood of acclaim and let out a short sigh.
“Looks like I have nothing left to do.”
The contract to make me the world’s greatest player. He had even secured support from his family headquarters in preparation, yet I had created the best possible public opinion all on my own.
“Master, you’ll have to work harder.”
“Ellen. You didn’t come here just to tease me, did you?”
“Hohoho, it’s pretty close. Mr. Yu made a proposal.”
“A proposal at a time like this? Now I’m curious.”
“It’s nothing complicated. He suggested we train together in Korea.”
“That’s a surprise in a whole different sense.”
With the eyes of the entire world focused on me, Ellen wanted to move?
William ran a hand through his hair.
This was the perfect opportunity to publicly announce the connection between me and Gold Moon. Accepting the proposal would clearly put them in the same boat.
Mr. Yu, you really are bold.
A divine being threatening the current player hierarchy. The moment it became known that Gold Moon had a close relationship with me, both sides would undoubtedly face checks and pressure.
“What does the executive director think?”
“Send me.”
William Rockefeller swallowed a bitter smile.
Ever since their last spar, Ellen had been dying to stay by my side. It wasn’t romantic feelings. It was pure competitive spirit. Ellen’s true nature was that of a battle incarnate who bowed to no one. Knowing that better than anyone, William had brought her into Gold Moon by promising to seat her at the top.
That promise had become impossible with my appearance as a variable, but…
“I can tell just by looking at your eyes. We’ve been partners for quite a while now.”
“Then that means…”
“Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything. Master.”
“Even if becoming the world’s best is difficult, be prepared to at least take the spot right below.”
Even after witnessing my overwhelming strength, William Rockefeller had not lost faith in Ellen. No, precisely because of that, he could not let a player like Ellen Taylor slip away.
You can’t defeat an absolute powerhouse with half-hearted numbers.
Surpassing me was impossible. Fortunately, the world’s strongest player had promised to run his guild on a small scale.
“Executive Director Ellen, do you have the confidence for that?”
“Master, I will never disappoint you.”
“Good. Hand over your guild duties to someone else for the time being.”
“The team members want to come along too. Is that okay?”
“Do as you wish. Without a leader, clearing the Tower would be impossible anyway.”
“I will do my best to live up to your expectations.”
Ellen’s voice was filled with determination.
Two days had passed since the Platinum promotion match.
I had already promoted, and I figured it would be good to build some rapport with the guild members so no one could call me a snob. While I was loosening up at the guild house—
“Long time no see, Mr. Yu!”
A visitor had arrived.
It was a grinning Ellen. Behind her stood the Golden Circle team members, Gold Moon’s elite, looking somewhat awkward.
“We saw each other just a few days ago. Does ‘long time no see’ really fit?”
“Aw, the hot time I spent with Mr. Yu was just so intense.”
She said something that could easily be misunderstood without batting an eye.
I swallowed a sigh inwardly.
“I sent the invitation ages ago. You sure took your sweet time.”
When I glanced behind her, Ellen laughed sheepishly. “Hehe. Master told me to bring the team members along too.”
“I only invited you, though?”
“Hohoho. He said if Mr. Yu refused, we could just go sightseeing in Seoul.”
The Golden Circle team.
America’s strongest raid team, fully supported by Gold Moon. They were the perfect training partners.
I pretended to think it over for a moment before smiling.
“Welcome to Korea, Golden Circle team members.”
“Oh my, Carla! Your face has gotten so thin since I last saw you.”
“Executive Director, I’m fine.”
“Um, um! Ellen Taylor! I’m a huge fan! Please give me an autograph!”
“My goodness. You’re Jiyoung, right? Thank you for always taking care of Carla. I can do at least that much.”
“Yay!”
The guild house instantly became lively.
Since Ellen had visited more than once or twice, she blended into the atmosphere right away. The Golden Circle members stood around awkwardly at first, but thanks to Ellen’s mediation, they gradually began to relax.
“I was just about to tell you.”
“The collapse of northern Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province.”
The boundary line separating South and North Korea.
A massive Gate Break was scheduled to occur in the Demilitarized Zone, also known as the DMZ.
“October 2026.”
“The best defense is a good offense.”
“Well… it’s suspicious.”
The massive Gate Break that occurred in the DMZ.
A Gate Break happens when a gate absorbs more mana than it can handle and releases the excess outward. The problem was that neither the Association nor anyone else had detected any unusual movement from the DMZ side.
In my previous life, the completely unforeseen Gate Break had caused devastating damage to both North and South Korea.
“There’s a high chance someone intervened.”
“I only realized it after the Age of Destruction had already arrived.”
The intervention of the Old Gods.
Gates were shadows reflecting other worlds, or the remnants of destroyed realms. They were also a phenomenon caused by the connection between the Tower and other dimensions. The Old Gods had used the gates that appeared on Earth through some unknown method.
“Yeah. It’s just a guess, but it’s definitely worth trying.”
The Golden Circle.
America’s highest-level Tower raid team had been added to our forces. With this much, it was definitely worth attempting.
Now that our forces had been reinforced, it was time to move on to the next stage.
I pulled out the phone from my pocket.
“Team Leader Han Suchang. How’s the atmosphere at the Association these days?”
Inside the café on the first floor of the guild house, which Thomas had created for employee welfare.
It had been a while since I enjoyed such leisure.
Nyx, in her manifested form, elegantly lifted her teacup. Even managing to look refined while drinking iced tea was quite the talent.
What insane nonsense!
I pressed my lips tightly together to hold back the curses boiling up from the depths of my stomach. I really shouldn’t have teased the goddess like that. I was starting to feel both fear and guilt for having opened the forbidden door.
“Well, you see…”
“Guild Master Yu Jinho!”
A savior arrived just in time.
Han Suchang was walking over from a distance. The briefcase tucked under his arm was so thick it looked like it would burst if you even touched it.
“What’s with all that luggage?”
“Work has piled up quite a bit lately. Hahaha.”
The dark circles under his eyes. Every time I saw him, he looked more and more haggard.
“Do you realize you always say that whenever you meet me?”
“I can’t deny it. Oh, by the way, I got promoted.”
Han Suchang handed me a newly printed business card.
“Director? Congratulations.”
“Since the Association is a public service position, the salary difference isn’t that big.”
“I was going to treat you to something for your promotion, but you’re already backing out.”
“If you’re fine with flea liver, I can treat you anytime.”
“I’m good.”
We exchanged pleasantries while drinking our coffee. Once the mood had warmed up sufficiently, Han Suchang spoke first.
“Regarding the internal Gate raid in the DMZ that Guild Master Yu Jinho inquired about, it looks like we’ll receive a positive response.”
“That’s unexpected. I thought the military would strongly oppose it.”
“Public opinion is a scary thing.”
“That’s true, but isn’t it also thanks to the Association’s skillful handling?”
“All we did was spread our sails before the strong wind.”
He was skillfully saying that they had used my fame and the issue of domestic security to appeal to the government. This was far too big a matter for Director Han’s level to handle alone.
“Please convey my thanks to the Association President as well.”
“He will be very pleased.”
Han Suchang did not deny it.
The Player Association was moving like my own limbs. Our interests aligned, but this was also the result of the trust we had built since right after my regression.
Association President Kim Wooseong.
I worked hard to save your life too, so this much is only fair.
The massive Gate Break that occurred in the DMZ.
In the original history, it was the battlefield where Association President Kim Wooseong had died.