I Overlooked It (2)
The cataclysm. A disaster for some.
But at the same time, an opportunity and stroke of luck for others.
In the case of South Korea, it was the latter.
Not only had the Arcana's strongest military force, the Mage Tower, updated in Seoul, the capital, but there was also the presence of top-rank players led by Nam Taemin, boasting a high level disproportionate to their numbers.
And among the citizens of such a fortunate South Korea, the luckiest were the politicians in Yeouido.
In the past, during unstable international times, they might have cursed Dangun for choosing such a pathetic peninsula for the capital.
Clink— glasses colliding.
“Who would've thought? Getting squeezed by China and Japan would turn into a blessing in disguise. Thanks to that, life tastes sweet these days. Hahaha.”
To emphasize again.
South Korea's politicians were too lucky.
Look at other countries. No need to go far—take Japan.
Hisagi, a ranker player, had formed an adversarial relationship with the Japanese government and ended up abandoning his homeland altogether, hadn't he?
Life tastes sweet, so the liquor does too.
“Gulp! It's all because Nam Taemin is so compliant despite his size. It really hits you anew, but the Korean national character is something else, isn't it? Even after all that bullying, they still listen to their country.”
South Korea's hero.
True to his title, Nam Taemin's actions were impeccably upright.
Was it because of that, or his muscles? It was a shame that even trying to use a straw, the opening wouldn't fit in his mouth.
But in times like that, you just go around it.
“No matter how good the opportunity, too much greed leads to indigestion, you know. You all understand that, right? Stay quiet, like you're there but not. Long and thin.”
Three-term, four-term, five-term lawmakers, ministers, and so on.
If levels proved players' experience, gold badges proved theirs.
The gathered men were masters of survival honed by experience.
Clink— glasses colliding again.
The alcohol kicks in. True feelings emerge.
“They completely lost face. What 'great power'?”
“I wonder what Lian Wei's face looks like right now. Hahaha.”
“Now's the time to sit tight and eat our fill. Cheonha Tongil is cornered. The more backed into a corner, the more scraps they'll scatter, right?”
China and Cheonha Tongil would be desperate.
The more so, the more they'd turn to any path to break through.
And blocking that path were none other than themselves.
Half-joking, half-serious words fly.
“Shouldn't we raise the toll a bit?”
“Definitely. Given the situation. Haha.”
“Wonder how much pressure Ryu Ojuncheon is under from behind.”
Being who they were, information flowed in even without effort.
Rumors about Ryu Ojuncheon were no different.
In that sense, the high officials sighed in relief.
“No matter how you think about it, it's heavenly luck.”
“What is?”
“Nam Taemin, of course, and even Lee Hoyeol.”
“……!”
“They don't care much about this side, do they?”
With the example of Ryu Ojuncheon, drawing agreement was easy.
Even a player like Ryu Ojuncheon was shaking up China, wasn't he?
And Lee Hoyeol wielded far greater influence than that Ryu Ojuncheon.
At that moment, the gathered men shared the same thought.
What if Hoyeol stepped forward like Ryu Ojuncheon?
They shook their heads instinctively.
The aftermath was horrifying to even imagine.
Therefore.
“We just need to keep him in check appropriately, like always.”
Lee Hoyeol's influence needed moderate suppression.
If someone overheard, they might scoff.
What could these old political foxes do to block Lee Hoyeol?
Frankly, it was true.
Their role was simply to raise the issue.
“It's always the public who does the biting and tearing, isn't it?”
Planting doubt took one word.
But refuting it required dozens of pieces of evidence.
“Of course, since it's him, we must be cautious.”
This was Lee Hoyeol, after all.
A player with legendary feats in both the Arcana Continent and reality.
These self-preservationists wouldn't dare touch Hoyeol recklessly.
Besides.
“Now that he's slain the colossal evil, it's best to stay quiet.”
Hoyeol hadn't just defeated the colossal evil.
He'd landed a perfect blow on Cheonha Tongil too.
So he enjoyed overwhelming global support.
Of course, that didn't mean there were no methods at all.
Gulp— tilting his glass, a word suddenly comes to mind.
“……By the way, have you all heard?”
“?”
“About Claudy.”
Akshan.
Demon hunter.
And finally, Claudy.
Three entities revealed to be connected to Lee Hoyeol.
Among them.
Claudy's exact meaning remained a mystery.
“Couldn't we push this by pretending to raise innocent questions? After all, it was the demons crying out 'Claudy,' right?”
“Oh ho.”
“Wait, but wasn't it Lee Hoyeol who actually slew the demons?”
“Haha. Stories are made as we like, Minister.”
A simple photo of politicians shaking hands.
One such photo could turn absurd novels into fact.
That was their power.
And Claudy? Wasn't it the perfect bait?
“Hearing it now, it makes sense?”
“Time to draw the big picture properly. Haha.”
“Thinking again, we're the lucky ones, huh?”
Clink— glasses tilting.
As they schemed.
Hoyeol wouldn't even glance their way.
The gathered men were newly grateful for Hoyeol's pride.
“A hero who ignores public opinion. Exactly the kind who'll bring the world we want—our hero, right? Hahaha!”
*
I am number three and the enemy.
I carefully read Lee Yerim's message.
Then I said to Wolf,
“We'll discuss the rest once everyone wakes.”
Grandfell's lingering spite.
Hearing Shadow Mercenary's future plans only from Wolf was absurd.
There might be members who opposed Wolf's intentions.
I needed to discuss with everyone to make it certain.
Wolf bowed his head.
“Of course, Commander.”
I promptly left the annex.
What was so urgent?
If someone asked, it was because something worth it had happened……!
I dredge up distant memories.
Did I ever tell her Grandfell's full name……?
'No way I'd have said that to her!'
Even I, with my severe chuunibyou, was selective about who saw it flare up.
Big sis might be one thing, but spilling that name to the enemy who treated me like a mouse? No chance……!!
'What does she think she knows?'
As I sweated internally.
A memory flashes by.
……Right. The notebook.
The notebook with all my dark history!
As family fortunes decline, living space shrinks— that's natural.
What does that mean?
The enemy had no choice but to invade my territory.
'……We even swapped schoolbags once.'
Did she flip through my dark history notebook back then?!
Cold sweat turns to ice.
For now, I steady my mind.
Above all, she seemed to know only Claudy.
'If she knew more, she wouldn't be so tame. Not with her personality.'
Besides, the enemy's point wasn't Claudy.
The title alone tells me.
I knew the content well from my routine browsing.
Never neglect the peculiar pursuit that can't be overlooked in any situation: internet surfing.
So I nodded slowly.
Even murmured.
“Indeed.”
To sum up the article: simple.
'The intent is crystal clear.'
Typical critical articles tailing my every move.
Why? Netizens notice.
Articles that threw bait without conclusions.
Examples from before?
Of course, I, Lee Hoyeol, never even snorted at such nonsense.
Why?
From the moment they mentioned Cheonha Tongil, their motives were obvious.
Above all, top South Korean players like Gaon's Nam Taemin and Shinwa's Baek Isul were by my side.
'The government never bothered me.'
But I could experience it indirectly through them.
Grandfell went without saying.
He didn't care for others' opinions.
The lofty owner of immense pride.
Whatever they spouted, it hadn't been worth my attention.
Until now.
This was different……!
'Claudy? It's my endlessly deep and dark black history.'
But digging it up anyway?
Not content with in-depth coverage.
Even linking it to demons?!
Of course, only I knew the complicated truth.
The general public had no choice but to misunderstand.
'Not just any demons, but demon kings howling Claudy.'
Probably what the enemy meant by Mom and Dad worrying.
In that sense, these articles had crossed the line—properly.
I continued.
“I overlooked it.”
Yes, I'd been too lenient all this time?
They'd been struggling desperately, so I'd neglected.
The education in decorum.
“Father and Mother's sentiments.”
……Wait a minute.
Why Mom and Dad all of a sudden?
And who overlooked what, Grandfell?
'No one's as filial as me, you know?'
Handwritten letters every dawn without fail.
Monthly allowances too.
But ignoring my protests, the words continue.
“Public opinion doesn't target only me.”
Then I realized.
“The family's honor.”
Yes.
This wasn't just touching Claudy.
It dragged the Lee family into it too.
So this nosiness considering reality and Arcana would protect the Lee family honor too……!
“As successor, I cannot stand idle.”
……Successor?
Yes, Claudy family successor, sure.
And Lee family successor, technically.
'Did you have to mutter it so grandly?'
Before the Healing Magic School annex.
Cley and the skilled mages' gazes focus.
No one reacts to the serious atmosphere……
'They all heard my muttering.'
However.
Click.
My steps, resolve firm, show no hesitation.
At this point, worry creeps in.
His unchanging poise.
Grandfell, who maintained composure before any demon king or colossal evil, now quietly raged at his family's sullied honor.
Even I grew concerned, my actions unpredictable……
*
Clink.
Steamed sweet rice milk with extra yolk.
Shattering the leisurely, peaceful tea time: the hotline network.
A suited aide delivers carefully.
“AAU Korea Branch Chief Park Minjae is calling.”
The white-haired middle-aged man asks back.
“Park the branch chief? Why him? He's not one to call first.”
The aide answers with a troubled expression.
“He says player Lee Hoyeol wishes an audience with the President……”
“?!”
South Korea's President, Jeong Han-taek.
Player—no, the Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol wants an audience with me……?!
He sputtered out the sweet rice milk he'd been sipping in shock.
“Pffft. Wh-what in the world is happening?!”
A move to restore honor.
The first step.
Checkmate.