The Weight of a Hero's Return
The journey back to Korea.
“Master Rockefeller has sent a private jet to escort our honored guests.”
At the airport, a private plane emblazoned with the Rockefeller Foundation emblem waited for the group.
“Whoa, the Master doesn’t even lend this out to me that often.”
“You use private jets all the time, though.”
“Mr. Yu. That one belongs to Gold Moon. The Rockefeller Foundation’s jet is a different story.”
The Rockefeller Foundation.
A financial powerhouse with enormous influence in American business circles.
“Support on the level of an entire family, not just a guild.”
“Looks like the Master wants to get a lot closer to you.”
“Seems that way.”
I let out a small chuckle.
William Rockefeller’s intentions in sending the private jet were obvious.
By flaunting his personal connection with me—and by extension, the Yeokcheon Guild and Gold Moon—he was publicly declaring that the entire Rockefeller family stood ready to support us.
“Not bad at all.”
“I suppose the conversation you had with him is still valid?”
“Me becoming the world’s strongest player, and Gold Moon becoming the world’s strongest guild.”
“If I were Mr. Yu, I’d be greedy for both.”
Ellen glanced behind her.
Constant gasps of awe kept bursting out.
Lee Jiyoung and the rest of the party stared at the Rockefeller Foundation’s private jet with wide, sparkling eyes.
“Forget it. Taking in more kids would just be a hassle.”
Guild management was never my specialty.
I’d rather spend that time devouring one more essence and stacking up power.
I had considered recruiting more administrative talent like Analyst Thomas, but that risked stepping on William Rockefeller’s toes.
His abilities would be absolutely essential in the era of destruction.
It was far more beneficial to keep a capable operator as an ally than to obsess over building the world’s strongest guild.
“You always look so greedy, yet you can be surprisingly modest at times like this.”
Ellen didn’t press the issue any further.
Is she not testing you?
“Not her style.”
Thanks to the Rockefeller Foundation’s private jet, we arrived in Korea without any transfers.
The moment my feet touched the ground at Incheon International Airport—
“Player Yu Jinho! What are your thoughts on preventing the Great Collapse in France?!”
“We heard France offered you citizenship. Is that true?”
“A lot of people are wondering if Ellen Taylor’s endorsement was genuine!”
“During the final battle in Paris…”
Click! Click!
A relentless barrage of questions echoed across the terminal like a storm.
Camera shutters fired nonstop. Flashes exploded in every direction.
Lee Jiyoung stuck her tongue out in disbelief.
“Master, there are way more of them than last time, aren’t there?”
“Being popular is exhausting.”
I muttered under my breath, then turned to the surging crowd with a practiced smile.
My status had risen to an entirely different level compared to the time of the Spice Island incident.
The entire world was now watching my every move.
It was time to start paying attention to image management.
Since when have you ever cared about such things?
“There are certain opportunities you can only get from specific gates.”
Oh? So you plan to monopolize those opportunities by pretending to be a righteous hero. How predictable.
“It’ll be a bit annoying, but it’s necessary.”
If your intentions were truly pure, you would not be my contractor. Indeed.
…Was she insulting me just now?
I shot Nyx a quick glare before answering the reporters’ questions.
Even though I kept the interview to the absolute minimum, it still took over an hour just to escape the airport.
“Uncle, if this happens again next time, I might just sweep them all away.”
“Then I’ll be the one who dies by your hand.”
“But there’s just too many of them!”
Enrique looked like he was about to cry.
He had been so excited by the crowd earlier, but after just one hour he was completely fed up.
While I was being interviewed, the rest of the party hadn’t been left alone either.
Hong Yunsu and Shin Junseok were already famous rankers, so they received relatively less attention.
But the remaining members who had shone during the French Great Collapse were now stepping into the spotlight for the first time.
Lee Jiyoung, who was only in her second year as a player like me, was especially swarmed.
Ping Lei, Enrique, and even Karla were bombarded with interview requests.
“Don’t look so disappointed, Hyung-nim.”
“Me? Haha, you’re exaggerating, Guild Master.”
Hong Yunsu laughed heartily.
His command-type abilities didn’t have flashy visual effects, so it was hard for him to draw attention.
That was why he had received fewer interview requests than the others.
From the look on his face, he seemed relieved.
Just in case, I offered him some half-hearted consolation.
Even after returning to Korea, the following days remained hectic.
“Thanks to you, the Association has grown wings.”
Association President Kim Wooseong slapped my back enthusiastically.
Oof.
This old man really packed a punch.
As if showing off that he was indeed one of Korea’s top rankers, every slap made my whole body jolt.
“You’re so energetic. You’ll live a long life.”
“Of course. Thanks to our Special Task Force working so hard, I finally feel like living again. I’ll keep working until I’m painting the walls with my backside.”
It was true that I had extended his lifespan.
In my previous life, he was supposed to have died fighting the Eldritch Dragon.
In this life, I hope you get to work as much as you want and retire peacefully.
“Team Leader Han Suchang. Haven’t you been too busy lately?”
“Ah, I got promoted. I’m now a Director.”
Since the Player Association was a public enterprise, their ranks were structured differently.
It was equivalent to a department head position in a regular company.
Considering Han Suchang’s age, it was an incredibly fast promotion.
“Well then, congratulations, Director.”
“Haha, what did I do? It’s all thanks to you, Guild Master Yu Jinho.”
“At this rate, won’t you become the youngest standing director?”
“Rather than titles, I should focus on improving public safety and player welfare in our country.”
How humble.
While he had certainly benefited from my help, Director Han Suchang had risen through the ranks in my previous life purely through his outstanding abilities.
By the time President Kim Wooseong retired, he would at least reach the director position.
If the timing was right, he could even aim for the next Association President.
“It’s reassuring to have someone like you, Director.”
“That’s what I should be saying.”
We exchanged pleasantries.
After visiting the Player Association, I gave interviews to various media outlets.
The Hero Who Saved France — Yu Jinho’s Exclusive Interview
Yu Jinho Explains the Difference Between the Korean Player Association and Foreign Associations
Reexamining the Dangers of the Tower — Yu Jinho and the Qliphoth
Articles flooded out carrying my name.
This wasn’t forced image management through interviews.
Public opinion could become a powerful weapon depending on how it was used.
During the first Great Erosion, public perception of the Babel Tower hadn’t deteriorated too badly.
Although Gates and the Ten Great Demonic Realms had appeared, the endless stream of resources and magical engineering technology from the Tower was still incredibly attractive.
You are giving them advance warning.
“Yeah. It won’t change overnight, but I’ll shift things little by little.”
The butterfly effect.
The storm had already begun.
The future had started changing the moment I regressed.
Some changes followed my intentions, but there were also unexpected shifts.
In that case—
It was time to actively use that butterfly effect to my advantage.
Defeating Rene Davis was a massive event that would serve as a turning point in history.
I couldn’t let this opportunity slip.
I gave the guild members mandatory vacation time.
“Yahoooo! No take-backs, Master!”
“Master. Please recommend some must-visit Korean restaurants for my vacation.”
“Ahem. That’s my specialty.”
“There’s a Korean saying that even dog poop has its uses. Looks like you’re useful too, Jiyoung.”
“D-Dog poop…?”
I’d probably get along better with a real dog and monkey than these two.
Most of them lit up at the word “vacation.”
Even the training fanatic Shin Junseok smiled faintly.
They hadn’t had a proper break since receiving the invitation from Dryad Street Guild.
Everyone except one person.
“I want to keep training.”
Right.
You came all the way to Korea with nothing but the single-minded desire to become stronger.
I looked straight into Karla’s eyes and spoke.
“Resting is also a way to grow stronger.”
“……”
She didn’t look convinced.
“Mr. Yu. Why don’t you leave Karla to me?”
Ellen stepped in.
“If she’s okay with it, I don’t mind.”
“It’s fine with me.”
“Then I’ll take good care of your guild member.”
A cold glint flashed in Ellen’s eyes.
It was only natural for her to feel wronged after having a guild member stolen right under her nose.
But what could she do?
If I left Karla by her side, the same tragic outcome from my previous life would repeat.
“We’ll regroup in two days.”
Clap!
I clapped lightly and dismissed the group.
* * *
The two days passed in the blink of an eye.
It was my first time returning to my hometown since regressing.
It is quiet here.
“It’s the countryside. This place never changes.”
Even right before the era of destruction, the scenery had looked exactly like this.
If I turned one more corner, my childhood home would appear.
“Is that the little shit dog I see?”
An old man with snow-white hair.
My grandfather, who had raised me after my parents passed away early.
His hair had turned completely white, but the sleeves of his shirt revealed muscles still firm from years of farming.
He hadn’t changed at all.
“Yes, Grandpa. I’m back.”
Grandfather hadn’t made a big fuss even after seeing the news.
Instead, he simply said,
“Whatever you do, follow your convictions.”
That was all.
Heh.
That was just like him.
My old room had been kept spotlessly clean.
I could feel how much he had cared, cleaning the empty space every day.
“Still, there’s nothing like my own room.”
I lay down and stared up at the ceiling.
It was a familiar sight.
Hehe. This kind of atmosphere isn’t so bad.
“I only like it for one day.”
You truly do not understand the meaning of leisure.
“When the whole world is burning, who has time for leisure?”
You have already changed so much. Rest from time to time.
I brushed off Nyx’s words and closed my eyes.
Sleep came rushing in.
It was the first time I had truly rested since defeating Rene Davis.
Coming back to a familiar place made all the tension melt away.
After enjoying an unexpected afternoon nap, I helped Grandfather with the chores that had piled up around the house.
“This doesn’t feel like a vacation. It feels like I came here to work.”
“Tsk! Your old man is working, and you want to lie around?”
“It’s winter. You’ve already finished all the farming.”
“You have to prepare now if you want to spend next year warmly.”
After helping Grandfather for two days, I returned to Seoul.
The guild members gathered at the guild house.
Everyone’s faces were glowing after enjoying their vacation.
Launching Babel Tower access application.
The space currently occupied by the user is stable.
Connection successful.
The Diamond Promotion Match is currently active.
Will you challenge Floor 60?
[Y/N]
“I’ll be back, seniors.”
I waved to Hong Yunsu and Shin Junseok, then pressed the connect button.